Bribery trial of Franco-Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz
Franco-Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz at the Israeli Court of Justice in Rishon Lezion near Tel Aviv, August 14, 2017. JACK GUEZ / AFP
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2 min
It is a case of international corruption that has mobilized the police around the world for years, from the United States, via Israel and Guinea, and whose outcome is expected in Switzerland where the trial of Benny Steinmetz opens this Monday in Geneva.
The Franco-Israeli billionaire and diamond dealer is accused of having concluded a “corruption pact” with the wife of former Guinean President Lansana Conte.
At stake: control of one of the most important iron mines in the world.
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With our correspondent in Geneva
,
Jérémie Lanche
Six years of investigation.
Rooms that fill 250 filing cabinets.
It is an understatement to say that the file assembled by the Swiss justice against Benny Steinmetz is voluminous.
The billionaire, once living in Geneva, would have piloted financial arrangements from Switzerland to pay more than $ 8 million to the former first lady of Guinea, Mamadie Touré, between 2006 and 2012.
In exchange for which she would have convinced her husband to allocate Simandou's iron reserve.
What Lansana Conte will do shortly before her death.
Benny Steinmetz will not be the only one to be judged.
Two collaborators of the billionaire will also be heard.
Including a Frenchman, trapped in the United States by the FBI while offering money to Mamadie Touré in exchange for compromising documents for Steinmetz.
He had been sentenced to 2 years in prison.
But in Geneva, he will plead not guilty.
Just like Benny Steinmetz who denies having paid a single penny in bribes.
He will ask for an acquittal.
Verdict expected, normally, on January 22.
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