Former Defence Minister denies knowledge of corruption in Gripen case

Former Social Democrat defence minister Jaroslav Tvrdik says he was never approached by lobbyists concerning the purchase of Gripen fighter jets for the Czech air force. Mr Tvrdik stressed he never encountered any signs of corrupt practices while in office. According to reports by the Swedish press, unexplained bank transfers and large-scale bribery accompanied negotiations about the purchase and eventual leasing of a fleet of Gripen fighters to the Czech Republic by the British-Swedish consortium BAE Systems-Saab.