"Rafale Papers": French justice opens an investigation for suspicion of corruption

According to the main opposition party, Congress, India concluded the purchase of the 36 Rafale from France at a price per plane three times the price negotiated in 2012, when the party was still in power.

AFP PHOTO / ECPAD

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French justice opens a judicial investigation for "corruption" and "favoritism" on the controversial sale of 36 Rafale planes to India in 2016 for an amount of 7.8 billion euros.

An ultra-sensitive file that splashes in particular François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron.  

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The anti-corruption NGO Sherpa filed at the end of 2018 a first complaint that was dismissed in 2019. But following new elements revealed by Médiapart, the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) is now investigating suspicions of corruption on this multi-billion contract. euros.

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To read also: The “Rafale Papers”, explosive investigation of Mediapart

In the sights of the parquet floor, these astonishing partnership agreements between Dassault and the conglomerate Reliance of the Indian businessman Anil Ambani which lead in 2017 to the creation of the Dassault Reliance Aerospace joint venture.

Astonishing, first of all because although the Indian group Reliance becomes the owner of the joint venture with 51% of the shares, it is Dassault which provides almost all of the financing: 159 million euros, against only 10 million for Reliance.

Second, Reliance was totally lacking in aviation experience.

Its only asset was the proximity of its owner Anil Ambani to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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To read also: India: concluded two years ago, the purchase of “Rafale” from France is controversial

But the

case

also splashes François Hollande.

Just before he signed the Rafale agreement with the Indian Prime Minister at the start of 2016, Reliance had financed for 1.6 million euros a film co-produced by Julie Gayet, the companion of the former head of the State.

As for Emmanuel Macron, at the time Minister of the Economy, he was allegedly involved in a tax compromise which saved a French subsidiary of Reliance 143 million euros.

For Sherpa's lawyers, this case looks more and more like a state scandal.

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  • Corruption

  • Aeronautics

  • India