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TAX EVASION

Deutsche Bank tipped off over tax raid

Deutsche Bank reportedly received advanced warning of a raid on its offices during an investigation into alleged tax evasion. A number of the bank's employees are currently being scrutinized.

Published: 4 July 2010 12:56 CEST
Deutsche Bank tipped off over tax raid
Photo: DPA

A series of recorded telephone calls among bank employees revealed that the bank received a tip off from within the German authorities, though it is not clear from which office the leak came.

According to a report in Saturday’s edition of the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the employees, all of whom face major tax evasion charges, were recorded talking about a raid that took place on April 28, a day before it happened.

State prosecutors carried out a raid on 230 companies, banks and apartments throughout Germany on that day, including some Deutsche Bank offices. The operation was related to an investigation into an international fraud ring that is said to have evaded sales tax on emissions rights trades, which the bank was involved in.

The justice ministry of the state of Hesse confirmed that it had opened an investigation into a possible “breach of official secrets protocol.” Deutsche Bank refused to comment on the allegations.

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POLICE

Police to question Norwegian prime minister over Covid-19 rule break

Police are questioning witnesses and have confirmed that they plan to question Prime Minister Erna Solberg after she breached local and national coronavirus rules.

Published: 22 March 2021 17:31 CET
Police to question Norwegian prime minister over Covid-19 rule break
Photo: screenshot Instagram: @erna_solberg

In a statement released on Monday police said they had “started questioning witnesses and are now conducting investigations to find out the circumstances surrounding possible violations.”

Police will also question the PM’s husband Sindre Finnes.

Per Morten Sending, prosecutor for the Buskerud area with the southeastern police district, told newspaper VG police considered it would be “relevant to have a chat with both Erna Solberg and Sondre Finnes”.

Solberg apologized on Friday after it emerged that during her 60th birthday trip to ski resort Geilo, in southern Norway, two private gatherings with more than 10 people present took place, in breach of restrictions in place at the time.

READ ALSO: These are Norway’s Covid-19 guidelines for the Easter holidays

Police launched an investigation into the two gatherings. Solberg was only present at one of the two.

“For the time being, it is too early to say anything about when we can conclude this investigation. We must conduct interviews to gain clarity on what has happened and whether this can be followed up with regard to local or national (coronavirus) regulations,” Sending said.

“It may also be relevant to question the prime minister and her husband,” Sending added.

Sending told broadcaster NRK that police expect to finish the investigations and questioning later this week.

If prosecuted, the prime minister is likely to face a fine, police told NRK on Friday.

“If they come to the conclusion that rules have been broken, we will of course make up for it. I’m prepared to pay fines if we’ve broken the rules,” Solberg told NRK.

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