Swiss justice authorities have charged a former director of the French oil concern, Elf, on suspicion of laundering company funds to the value of up to SFr50 million (Euro33 million).

A Geneva-based judge, Paul Perraudin, charged the 74-year old Alfred Sirven, who is already serving a five-year prison sentence for charges relating to the case, and seven other people in the ongoing investigation into the Elf scandal.

Two other businessmen are among those facing charges, including Roger Gindroz, a Swiss citizen who is accused of illegally transferring company funds between Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The investigation also seeks to find out how Sirven organised his escape to the Philippines, where he remained for over three years until his arrest in Manila in February.

swissinfo with agencies

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