Trial for a Swiss company over selling pipes to Iraq

The Swiss authorities are investigating with a company in Zurich suspected to have had sold equipment to Iraq used in manufacturing of artillery pipes, illegally.

Informed sources quoted the Swiss radio which said on Friday that the investigations emerged from a German investigation about weapons purchases by six companies to Iraq. A matter which constitutes a violation to the international sanctions imposed on Baghdad.

The radio added it is suspected that the said company had sent especial equipment to Iraq in 1999 at a cost of USD 1.3 million.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the Swiss federal attorney office confirmed these information saying that the authorities in his country are giving legal aid at a request by the German authorities and these relate to monitoring laws on war items and exports.