By Prensa Latina,
Paris : The Financial Markets Association (ACI) of France stepped up inquiries into the crime of disclosure of privileged information and brought an Airbus former official before the judges.
The case, which has a hint of scandal, involves ex high-ranking Airbus executives and its head office, the European consortium EADS.
Gustav Humbert, ex president of the aeronautics firm, is under investigation since Monday and might have to appear before court.
Humbert, of German origin, is now the most visible head of this inquiry that aims at determining how many EADS or Airbus executives took part or benefit from the use of privileged information.
An ACI report states Humbert sold 160 thousand of his EADS stocks in November 2005, which granted him big personal benefits amounting to 1.68 million euros.
Another former EADS executive was arrested a few weeks ago in Paris. Jean Paul Gut, former EADS chief operating officer, was taken to questioning by the Financial Brigade.
Gut, who left EADS in 2007, is accused by ACI of having sold, in November 2005 and March 2006, EADS stocks equivalent to 1.7 million euros.
It was precisely during these key dates before the official announcement of delays in Airbus A380 and A350 schedules, which resulted in a deep crisis of the France-based airplane making company.
Judges already found ex co president of EADS, Noel Forgeard, guilty of the crime of disclosure of privileged information in May 30, and according to ACI there are other suspects to the scandal.