Army Officer Arrested For Corruption

A German army officer has been arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe in return for awarding contracts for carrying aid to Afghanistan to a particular charter company, the regional daily Cologne Express wrote in its Friday edition, quoting the public prosecutor's office. The officer, who admits to having received a bribe of €25,000 ($33,171), had systematically given preferential treatment to a particular charter company in the tenders, the report said. The probe covers between 100 and 170 flights with an Antonov 124 aircraft. Two companies, including the charter company concerned, are also being probed, according to the report. The newspaper said the home and office of the suspect had been raided on Wednesday.