French police have detained former aide to Emmanuel Macron, Alexander Benal, and his wife as part of an investigation into corruption in security contracts. This was announced by the television channel LCI, citing a source from law enforcement agencies.
One of the two contracts that interested investigators, Benal signed with the help of the organization of the former functionary of the ruling party's party apparatus Vincennes Kraz in June 2018. It is alleged that the agreement provides security services to the head of UMMC ( Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company) Iskander Mahmudov. According to media reports, Benal has signed a contract with Russian businessman Farhad Ahmedov.
Both agreements total more than 2m euros. The French national financial prosecutor's office is investigating these corruption deals. The interrogation of Alexander Benal as a witness can take up to 48 hours.
In November, a Paris court sentenced Benal to three years in prison (two of which were suspended) on a number of charges following his involvement in the May 1, 2018 demonstration. Benal spent an effective one-year sentence under house arrest with an electronic bracelet .
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