Italian defense firm CEO arrested on corruption chargesFebruary 12, 2013 - 14:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The chief executive of the Italian aerospace and defense firm, Finmeccanica, has been arrested on corruption charges, BBC News reported. Giuseppe Orsi has been under investigation for embezzlement for several months. He has always denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors allege he profited illegally from the sale of 12 helicopters to India. Shares in the company did not open for trade in Milan. In a statement, Finmeccanica expressed solidarity with Orsi and said: "Finmeccanica confirms that management activity and the initiatives it has undertaken are continuing in an orderly fashion." Italy's Prime Minister, Mario Monti, said in an interview with Italian television: "Magistrates will do their work. I'm sure they will do it thoroughly and in the best way possible." He added: "There is a problem with the governance of Finmeccanica at the moment and we will face up to it." Arrest warrants have been issued for two people living in Switzerland. India's foreign ministry said it had not been informed of the raid. "We had asked the government of Italy through our mission in Rome for details of the investigation, but were told that it is a judicial process and the government of Italy is unable to share any information," said foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin. "That remains the position even today." For Italy, it is the latest in a string of corporate scandals - including risky trades at the bank Monti Paschi di Siena and allegations of bribery at the oil services group Saipem. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |