Arms deal probe Austrian released
An Austrian count detained as part of a probe of Europe's largest defence contractor has been released from investigative custody.
Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, an arms lobbyist, was detained in late February on suspicion of money laundering.
He was also held briefly in Britain last year, also in connection with a probe into whether BAE Systems offered bribes to secure arms deals.
Mensdorff-Pouilly was released on Friday after he took an oath to comply with authorities as the investigation continues, a spokesman for the Viennese public prosecutors office said.
The British defence contractor's dealings have come under scrutiny in recent years.
On the orders of then-prime minister Tony Blair, Britain's fraud office halted an inquiry in 2006 into whether BAE offered bribes in exchange for contracts in Saudi Arabia.