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© Christian
Hartmann / Reuters
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Switzerland has expanded
its investigation into corruption within world football’s governing body FIFA,
collecting further evidence and seizing financial assets, according to the US
and Swiss attorney generals. Huge volumes of data have been collected during
the probe, with 121 bank accounts brought to investigators’ attention. House
searches have been conducted in Switzerland in order to get further evidence.
“Where
proportional and needed, financial assets have been seized, including real
estate, for example flats in the Swiss Alps. At this point I would like to
emphasize that investments in real estate can be misused for the purpose of
money laundering,” Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber saidMonday.
RT America report continues:
He
added that huge amounts of electronic data, at around 11 terabytes, have been
seized so far, with more people been questioned.
The
attorney general, however, did not specify the figure of frozen assets, saying
it was too early and he preferred not to share the information.
Criminal
investigations have been ongoing for several months after a massive corruption
scandal rocked FIFA on May 27. The scandal was prompted by a wave of
accusations against the organization’s senior figures. Fourteen FIFA-linked officials
and businessmen have been accused by the US of bribery, fraud and money
laundering. Seven high-ranking officials were arrested in a Zurich hotel, where
they had gathered ahead of the body’s general meeting.
Russian President Vladimir
Putin hinted that he views the allegations against FIFA as politically
motivated, because the investigation began after the organization's head Sepp
Blatter pledged his support of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup.
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