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Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong arrested in South Korea | Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong arrested in South Korea |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Samsung's heir apparent Lee Jae-yong has been placed under arrest in South Korea, accused of bribery and other charges. | Samsung's heir apparent Lee Jae-yong has been placed under arrest in South Korea, accused of bribery and other charges. |
The case is linked to a scandal that led to the impeachment of the country's President Park Geung-hye. | The case is linked to a scandal that led to the impeachment of the country's President Park Geung-hye. |
Samsung is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of Ms Park, in exchange for government favours. | Samsung is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a friend of Ms Park, in exchange for government favours. |
Mr Lee and the Samsung Group deny any wrongdoing. | Mr Lee and the Samsung Group deny any wrongdoing. |
"We will do our best to ensure that the truth is revealed in future court proceedings," the Samsung Group said in a brief statement following Mr Lee's arrest. | |
The Samsung chief had already been questioned with several other company executives in January but a subsequent court ruling decided there was insufficient grounds for an arrest. | The Samsung chief had already been questioned with several other company executives in January but a subsequent court ruling decided there was insufficient grounds for an arrest. |
But on Friday, a court spokesman said in a statement: "It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest [Lee Jae-Yong] in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence." | But on Friday, a court spokesman said in a statement: "It is acknowledged that it is necessary to arrest [Lee Jae-Yong] in light of a newly added criminal charge and new evidence." |
Mr Lee has been in detention since he was summoned back to court for a hearing held behind closed doors earlier this week. | Mr Lee has been in detention since he was summoned back to court for a hearing held behind closed doors earlier this week. |
Prosecutors accused Mr Lee of giving bribes worth 41bn won ($36m/£29m) to President Park and her close friend Choi Soon-sil to win government support for a smooth leadership transition within Samsung. | Prosecutors accused Mr Lee of giving bribes worth 41bn won ($36m/£29m) to President Park and her close friend Choi Soon-sil to win government support for a smooth leadership transition within Samsung. |
Lee Jae-yong, also known as Jay Y Lee, first gave evidence in front of a parliamentary hearing in December last year. Since January he has been treated as an official suspect in the case. | Lee Jae-yong, also known as Jay Y Lee, first gave evidence in front of a parliamentary hearing in December last year. Since January he has been treated as an official suspect in the case. |
At the parliamentary hearing, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4bn won to two foundations, but denied seeking favours in return. | At the parliamentary hearing, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4bn won to two foundations, but denied seeking favours in return. |
And Mr Lee also confirmed the firm gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Ms Choi's daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regretted. | And Mr Lee also confirmed the firm gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Ms Choi's daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regretted. |
Mr Lee is currently vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. But since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, he is considered de facto boss of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate. | Mr Lee is currently vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics. But since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, he is considered de facto boss of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate. |
Prosecutors now have 20 days to detain and question him before they have to formally indict Mr Lee. | Prosecutors now have 20 days to detain and question him before they have to formally indict Mr Lee. |