Interpol renotifies RCN on copter deal middleman on ED’s request

Interpol has re-notified its red corner notice (RCN) against European middlemen Christian Michel James in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal case. The RCN against James, who is said to be one of the biggest beneficiaries in the bribe deal and also an accused in the case, has been re-notified at the request of the ED.

Sources said the RCN has been re-notified to include charges of money laundering. “The charges under PMLA were not included earlier in the Interpol RCN notified against Michel on the request of the CBI, the agency which is also investigating the case. These charges have been inserted and the notice re-notified. Indian authorities require him for prosecution in the case,” they said. The CBI has also sought his arrest for “criminal conspiracy, cheating, illegal gratification and abuse of official position”. With this re-notification of the global warrant, both CBI and ED have now got RCNs issued against three alleged middlemen — Carlo Gerosa, Guido Ralph Haschke and Michel — after a special court here issued non-bailable warrants against them on their separate pleas late last year.