Paris (AFP)

The custody of three former McDonald's executives in a preliminary investigation into suspicions of tax evasion has been lifted without prosecution at this point, AFP learned Thursday from corroborating sources.

Three former senior officials of the iconic fast food brand were taken into custody on Wednesday in the premises of the Office dedicated to the fight against financial and fiscal offenses (OCLCIFF), as part of an investigation opened by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) on suspicion of tax evasion.

These three custody have been lifted, said Thursday a source close to the case and the National Financial Prosecutor's Office, requested by AFP.

The PNF said "no decision has been taken" on possible prosecutions.

The officials concerned are Denis Hennequin, CEO of McDonald's Europe in 2009, Jean-Pierre Petit, CEO of the chain in France, and Salvatore Perri, former CEO of France and Southern Europe.

It was the conclusion of an agreement in 2009 between the parent company of McDonald's and its French subsidiary that aroused suspicion.

This agreement provided that part of the profits earned by the French subsidiary would be returned to the United States, thus escaping tax.

According to the Chained Duck, the French tax authorities hope to recover "from 300 to 600 million euros, or even a billion".

Asked by AFP, McDonald's France said Wednesday that the brand declared "its activities in France and pays all taxes due in accordance with the laws in force" and was, "for example, among the largest contributors to the tax on companies".

It specifies having, with its franchisees, paid between 2009 and 2013 "a cumulative corporate tax of more than one billion euros in France".

The brand affirmed to collaborate with the legal authorities and continue "to this day to maintain, on behalf of its shareholder, regular and technical exchanges on the complex question of the value of brand royalties and know-how with the whole. administrations and competent authorities ".

Established in France since 1979, McDonald's France has some 75,000 employees and plans to exceed 1,500 restaurants in France with around thirty openings in 2021.

© 2021 AFP