British middleman held in India over scandal-hit helicopter deal following extradition from Dubai
- Christian Michel is accused of arranging kickbacks for Indian officials to secure the lucrative deal worth US$630 million in 2010
Christian Michel stands accused of arranging kickbacks to Indian officials to secure a deal for AgustaWestland to supply New Delhi with 12 helicopters for €556 million (US$630 million) in 2010.
We have brought back the middleman. He will spill the beans
Brought in from the UAE late on Tuesday, Michel appeared in a Delhi court amid tight security. He will remain in police custody for five days initially and be allowed to meet his lawyer for one hour twice a day during this period, lawyers said.
Italian prosecutors suspect illegal sweeteners worth about 10 per cent of the contract, or some €55 million (US$62 million), were paid out in bribes. India cancelled the deal in January 2014.
Michel, who has denied any wrongdoing, was detained in Dubai in February 2017 following an Indian arrest warrant and an Interpol notice.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought to capitalise politically on the scandal as the contract was signed under the previous government of the Congress party.