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CORRUPTION

Swiss seize millions in Czech energy case

Switzerland said on Monday it was freezing 600 million francs in assets and charging seven people in connection with an allegedly illegal takeover of one of the Czech Republic's biggest energy firms.

Switzerland had first opened a probe into the case in 2005, the attorney general’s office said in a statement.

After six years of investigation, prosecutors said they had sufficient proof to charge “the directors of the company, … with having set up a particularly complex structure in different countries, including Switzerland, in order to misappropriate the company’s assets for private purposes.”

The move had allowed these individuals to take over the energy firm “without having to spend a cent.”

A significant part of the embezzled assets were transferred to Switzerland to be laundered, added prosecutors.

One hundred bank accounts have been identified to be linked to the case, and as a precautionary measure, Switzerland has seized 600 million francs ($678 million).

When contacted, the attorney general’s office declined to identify the energy firm.

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CORRUPTION

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president

Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, carrying out several arrests just six days ahead of the club's presidential elections, a Catalan regional police spokesman told AFP.

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president
Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu is among the arrested. Photo: Josep Lago/AFP

Spain's Cadena Ser radio said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, along with CEO Oscar Grau and the club's head of legal services.

But the police refused to confirm names, saying only “arrests are taking place” and adding that the operation was being run by officers from the financial crimes unit.

“We are in the process of carrying out an operation right now with agents of the financial crimes unit,” the police spokesman told AFP.

According to reports in the Spanish media, the operation is linked to last year's investigation into the 'BarçaGate' scandal, which saw the club deny hiring a company to criticise current and former players on social media to improve the image of the then-president Bartomeu.

Cadena Ser said Barca paid €1 million in six separate invoices to the company I3 Ventures, with whom the club have since cut ties.

Bartomeu resigned in October, after mounting pressure following months of controversy and a dramatic decline in performances on the pitch.

His successor is due to be elected on Sunday, when club members will choose between the final three candidates, Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font.

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