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Sarkozy Testimony Sought in Pakistan Arms Scandal

19 November 2010 02:37 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The families of French engineers killed eight years ago in Pakistan are demanding that French President Nicolas Sarkozy testify in an inquiry that is now focusing on allegations of government corruption linked to the killings, APA reports quoting â€œThe Voice of Americaâ€.

A lawyer for the families asked investigators Thursday to question Mr. Sarkozy about commissions paid in a complex arms deal with Pakistan while he was budget minister in a previous government.

Investigators are probing evidence that the 2002 Karachi bombing that killed the 11 French engineers and several Pakistanis may have been revenge for an order by Franceâ€™s then-President Jacques Chirac to stop paying commissions on the arms deal.

The families also want testimony from Mr. Chirac and his top aide, Dominique de Villepin.

President Sarkozy has not responded to the recent developments but has already publicly dismissed any link between the attack and political corruption.

Under French law, Mr. Sarkozy can not be forced to testify while he is president.

Charles Millon, French defense minister in the 1990s, told investigators Wednesday that there was suspicion some of the commissions were being returned to France as kickbacks.