Swiss lend Israel legal assistance as Weizman inquiry escalates

Police in Zurich have questioned a French millionaire over his financial backing of the Israeli president, Ezer Weizman (pictured). The interrogation of Edouard Saroussi took place just hours before Israeli police questioned Weizman himself in Jerusalem.

Police in Zurich have questioned a French millionaire over his financial backing of the Israeli president, Ezer Weizman. The interrogation of Edouard Saroussi took place just hours before Israeli detectives questioned Weizman himself at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.

The 75-year-old politician is accused of failing to declare over 300,000 dollars given to him by Saroussi between 1988 and 1993. Weizman has admitted receiving the money but has denied that it constituted a bribe.

Israeli officers were present in Zurich for the questioning of Saroussi. Their presence followed an official Israeli request for assistance.

The Zurich police are handling the investigation in Switzerland because Saroussi is currently staying in the city. District prosecutor, Dieter Jann, said there was no other connection between the inquiry and Zurich. He gave no further details about the interrogation.

From staff and wire reports