Belgium’s federal prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for an Elbit Systems-associated defense consultant accused of manipulating the terms of contracts made with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to French publication La Lettre.
According to La Lettre, Eliau Eluasvili, an Italian citizen, is wanted for "active corruption and participation in a criminal organization” allegedly relating to helping Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems acquire contracts with NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The publication also alleged that the terms of the contracts were manipulated and that Elbit Systems was suspended from participating in NSPA in July.
Guy Moeraert, a former Belgian soldier involved in NSPA, who stands accused of receiving almost two million euros in kickbacks for similar activities, is also currently under investigation, according to La Lettre.
It is yet unknown if Moeraert worked with Eluasvili or Elbit Systems or was charged in relation to other companies also being investigated for corruption and contract manipulation.
Elbit Systems response
Elbit Systems released a statement in response to the reports of corruption, claiming they were “not familiar with all the details cited in the article.”
The statement also clarified that the consultant accused of corruption was involved in multiple companies, not solely Elbit Systems, and that Elbit Systems “maintains that there were no irregularities in its conduct regarding any project with the NSPA.”
“Elbit has very limited, if any, tender proceedings, or business activity with the NSPA procurement body, and such activity continues to be conducted in the ordinary course of business,” the statement continued, emphasizing that Elbit has offered its assistance in the investigation and plans to fully cooperate as required.