So far nobody has been charged in the case, the ambassador said,
noting that the Swedish prosecutor general did not have the
authority to investigate in other countries, however, Gripen’s
contracts with South Africa, the Czech Republic and Hungary were
being analysed.
On December 8 last year, national daily Nepszabadsag suggested
that the Swedish investigation was likely to be expanded to clarify
Hungarian threads.
Hungary’s Gripen acquisition came under the spotlight in June
2007 after a Swedish television channel said that an Austrian
businessman had received an 8 million dollar kick-back for mediation
in the transaction.
Swedish authorities began investigation for corruption related
to deals on Gripen fighters in the Czech Republic following the
television report in February, suggesting the possibility of links
to Hungary.
The centre-right Fidesz-led government decided on leasing the
Gripens on September 10, 2001, an action amended by the successor
Socialist-Liberal government in 2003 to reduce cost. Under the
modified agreement, Hungary is leasing 14 fighter jets for a total
of 210 billion forints (840m euros) over a period of ten years, at
the end of which ownership of the aircraft will be transferred to
Hungary.
