Samsung chief held over graft charges

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 Samsung chief held over graft charges

Seoul - He was being held in a single cell with a TV and desk, a jail official said

By Reuters

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Published: Fri 17 Feb 2017, 9:14 PM

Last updated: Fri 17 Feb 2017, 11:18 PM

Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee was arrested on Friday over his alleged role in a corruption scandal rocking the highest levels of power in South Korea, dealing a fresh blow to the technology giant and standard-bearer for Asia's fourth-largest economy. The special prosecutor's office accuses Lee of bribing a close friend of President Park Geunhye to gain government favours related to leadership succession at the conglomerate. It said on Friday it will indict him on charges including bribery, embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and perjury.
The scion of the country's richest family, was taken into custody at the Seoul Detention Centre on Friday after waiting there over-night for the decision. He was being held in a single cell with a TV and desk, a jail official said.
Lee is a suspect in an influence peddling scandal that led parliament to impeach Park in December, a decision that if up-held by the Constitutional Court would make her the country's first democratically elected leader forced from office.


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