Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz to be tried over 'Guinea bribes'

A file photo of Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz in court. PHOTO | JACK GUEZ | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Beny Steinmetz and two assocaites allegedly paid $10 million (£8.2 million; Sh1.03 billion) to one of the wives of former Guinean President Lansana Conte.
  • Mr Steinmetz and his mining company Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR) have previously denied any wrongdoing.
  • In 2016, Mr Steinmetz was detained and questioned by the Israeli police over the mining deals. He denied any wrongdoing.

Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz and two associates are to stand trial for allegedly bribing Guinean officials to win mining licences, Swiss prosecutors say.

The trio allegedly paid $10 million (£8.2 million; Sh1.03 billion) to one of the wives of former Guinean President Lansana Conte.

Mr Steinmetz and his mining company Beny Steinmetz Group Resources (BSGR) have previously denied any wrongdoing.

The prosecution is seeking prison terms of two to 10 years.

SWISS ACCOUNTS

The prosecutors, who opened an investigation into the alleged bribery six years ago, allege that Mr Steinmetz obtained the mining rights in the Simandou region of south-eastern Guinea just before Mr Conte died in 2008.

They charge that the money was paid to a wife of the country's former President partially through Swiss bank accounts.

In February, Guinean authorities dropped corruption charges against Mr Steinmetz and BSGR in exchange for relinquishing rights to the Simandou mine.

"HOSTILE ACTION"

The Guinean government has said it was not involved in the Swiss investigation and will not seek any "hostile action" against BSGR.

In 2016, Mr Steinmetz was detained and questioned by the Israeli police over the mining deals. He denied any wrongdoing.

Simandou is one of the world's biggest iron deposits, containing billions of tonnes of high-grade ore.

Guinea's mineral wealth makes it potentially one of Africa's richest countries, however, most of its citizens live on less than $1 (£0.80) a day.