Trial begins in France over UN ‘Oil-for-Food Program’ for Iraq
Fourteen companies, including Renault Trucks and Legrand, have been put on trial in France over accusations of illegally paying slain Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime during the "Oil-for-Food Program".
Wednesday’s trial, which kicked off in a Paris court with a raft of procedural issues, was adjourned to Thursday and is expected to last until April 3.
The case was initially opened in 2006 and targeted some 40 firms and several individuals for the corruption of foreign officials, abuse of company resources, complicity and receiving stolen merchandise.
The targeted firms are suspected to have each paid over 250,000 euros to the Iraqi regime during the program.
If proved guilty of corrupting foreign officials, the defendants could face up to 10 years in jails and a 150,000-euro fine.
Three of the companies’ directors could also face up to five years in prison and 375,000 euro fines over misuse of company assets.
In 2013, some of the firms such as Total and the former interior minister, Charles Pasqua, were cleared of corruption charges.
During the United Nations program, which was carried out from 1996 to 2003, the then Iraqi regime was permitted to export oil in lieu of basic requirements such as medicine and food.
Participating companies were forced by Saddam to pay a 10-percent surcharge under the title of "transport costs" or "after-sales service" which ended up in the regime's coffers.
The program was plagued with mismanagement and corruption, which was linked to UN employees and over 2,000 firms from 66 countries.
SRK/AS/MHB
French police called in to break up US-style pro-Palestinian student demo
'Unprecedented': Thousands of flights cancelled in Europe amid strike
Macron met en garde contre la "mort" de l’Europe
VIDEO | Leader meets workers on Labor Week
French police called in to break up US-style pro-Palestinian student demo
VIDEO | US continues starving Syrians, stealing their resources
Yemeni forces strike Israeli ship, Port of Eilat in solidarity with Gaza
Columbia, Yale students bent on ending US support for Israeli genocide
VIDEO | Genocide in Gaza
Iran calls on BRICS to play role in stopping Israeli crimes
President Raeisi’s historic visit opens new chapter in Iran-Pakistan ties
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
