Athletics: French prosecutor calls for Diack to stand trial - source

[May 20, 2019]    PARIS (Reuters) - France's financial prosecutor has recommended that Lamine Diack, the former president of world athletics ruling body the IAAF, and his son Papa Massata Diack stand trial for alleged corruption and money-laundering, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.

IAAF President Lamine Diack speaks during the opening ceremony of the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 22, 2015. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

The French probe began in November, 2015 with Senegalese Lamine Diack being put under formal investigation on suspicion of receiving bribes to cover up doping violations by Russian athletes. He has denied the allegations.

The financial prosecutor said that Papa Massata Diack has also been under investigation over corruption allegations. He has denied wrongdoing.

The investigative judge has three months to decide on the financial prosecutor's recommendation that Diack and his son stand trial.

(Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry; Writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ed Osmond)

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