ISLAMABAD, Sept 21: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto told a court in the Swiss capital that she was unaware of funds held in Swiss banks in the name of offshore companies, her husband and other relatives, Pakistan Television (PTV) reported on Wednesday.

Ms Bhutto was speaking at the hearing of a money-laundering case by a Swiss examining magistrate. She was asked about funds allegedly held in Swiss banks in the name of offshore companies beneficially owned by Begum Nusrat Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and her former brother-in-law when she was prime minister.

In reply to these questions, Ms Bhutto said that she wasn’t aware of the facts and she had nothing to do with her mother or husband or any other relative’s own businesses, according to PTV.

Ms Bhutto and Jens Schlegelmilch attended the hearing but Mr Zardari who failed to turn up submitted a medical certificate through his lawyer asking to be excused. The magistrate rejected his plea.

To a question about a ledger written by Schlegelmilch about sharing of 50 per cent to Asif Zardari and 50 per cent to herself in relation with off-shore company Bomer Finance, she said the writer of this [Schlegelmilch] would be more qualified to answer the question.

Schlegelmilch in particular mentioned having bought a piece of jewellery in London for Ms Bhutto with funds deposited in a Swiss account of one of the offshore companies belonging to Mr Zardari.

Ms Bhutto confirmed that Jens Schlegelmilch had informed her about a piece of jewellery at her disposal but she had refused it.

She said she had discussed the matter with her mother who told her that the gift was inappropriate, the PTV report said.—PPI