'Euro generals' cleared by Russian authorities
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/07/2008 10:19 PM
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Eight Philippine National Police officials who attended the 77th Interpol General Assembly in Russia have been cleared of all liabilities by Russian authorities in connection with the 105,000 euros that were confiscated from former police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz and his wife.
Senior Superintendent Benjamin de los Santos, legal adviser of PNP chief Jesus Verzosa, said the investigation of Russian authorities into the issue has already ended and no criminal charges will be filed against the eight police officers.
Quoting a November 6 e-mail sent by Atty. Alex Binetskiy, the PNP delegates' legal counsel in Russia, de los Santos said Russian authorities would return the 105,000 to the PNP through wire transfer with the help of a certain Capt. E. Rudenko.
Binetskiy's e-mail was in reply to the e-mail of dela Paz's legal counsel, Atty. Noel Maglaya, who inquired about the status of the case.
Dela Paz and his wife were apprehended by Russian customs officers at the Moscow Shremetyevo Airport last October 11 for not declaring the 105,000 euros they were carrying with them.
Dela Paz said the money was a "contingency fund" of the eight-member PNP delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg.
An additional 45,000 euros was also confiscated from the couple. According to dela Paz, the money was for the purchase of two watches for a friend.
