José González Bell – [email protected]
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Brazilian authorities announced earlier this week the arrest of Germán Efromovich and José Efromovich, former owners of Avianca and its largest shareholders, for allegedly offering bribes totaling $ 40 million reais (US $ 7.2 million) to senior Transpetro executives.
In an interview with La FM, the businessman spoke about his case and indicated that it is an armed case because they sued Petrobras, which would have to pay them more than $ 500 million reais. Likewise, he indicated that the preventive detention does not stop his plans to enter AirItalia and return to Avianca.
Regarding the Colombian airline, Efromovich stated that he asked the company’s lawyers to participate in the financing of the capitalization that he seeks under Chapter 11 in the United States.
“There is no reason to suspend any business. If they open the Alitalia sale, the investors who are with me are still interested and we will continue with the process. We want and we will participate in the financing of the capitalization of Avianca,” he said. He also requested the early opening of flights. “You cannot stop the country, you have to learn to live with the virus.”
Although Efromovich pointed out that the investigation would have no effect on Avianca, the truth is that on the day of his arrest the stock fell 25% and closed the day at $ 136. It currently recovered to $ 147. The low price of the spice also reflects the uncertainty about the process in Chapter 11.
Regarding the rest of investments and companies that he has in Colombia, the businessman pointed out that everything will continue to march and that his partners in the country “know him and know that the case is armed.”
Regarding the case in Brazil, Efromovich said that “history was armed.” He explained that the relationship with Transpetro began more than 10 years ago, when the Eisa – Ilha shipyards, which he owns, had two contracts that they won in an open tender for the construction of four vessels.
“This tender was transparent. We won the tender and made four boats. Five years ago we sued the company because they would not let us continue with the contract. We sued the company in which we allegedly made bribes. It does not make sense,” he said.
One of those implicated in the case is Sergio Machado, former president of Transpetro, who was allegedly the official who accepted the alleged bribes. Regarding the relationship with the Brazilian manager, Efromovich said that he met him years after signing the contracts.
“Machado said that he was going to collaborate with the justice to reduce the sentence. In declarations to the justice he said that he had asked me for illegal collaboration and affirms that I replied that it does not give money to politicians in that sense,” he said.
“That has neither head nor tail, it is a fantasy they have invented (…) and it will go up in smoke later. I have nothing to fear, ”Efromovich assured from his home, where he remains in house arrest.
News in development …
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