Arms Manufacturer Patria Allegedly Bribed Slovenian PM

The Finnish defence materiel manufacturer Patria paid bribes to the Slovenian Prime Minister, according to the investigative current affairs television programme MOT aired on YLE on Monday.

According to MOT, Patria paid a total of EUR 21 million in bribes in return for orders for the Slovenian military. The money was allegedly channelled through middlemen to officials of the country's Ministry of Defence, as well as Prime Minister Janez Jansa.

Officials in both countries launched an investigation into Patria's dealings with Slovenia in the spring. However, Slovenia's government later closed down the Parliamentary investigation into the case.

MOT suspects that the report was getting too close to the Prime Minister and his Democratic Party. Investigations by Slovenian police have also been suspended for all practical purposes.

The office of the Slovenian Prime Minister has said that it will not comment on the allegations for now.