ISLAMABAD, April 23: Swiss examining Magistrate Mrs Chrishne Junod indicted Jens Schelgelmilch, the agent of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari, for "aggravated money laundering", in Geneva on Thursday.

Jens Schelgelmilch is a co-accused with Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari in the SGS/Cotecna money laundering case which is under trial in Switzerland. The indictment was made on the directions of the attorney-general of Geneva, whereby he referred the instant case to the examining magistrate and asked her to additionally indict Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and Jens Schelgelmilch on the charges of "aggravated money laundering".

According to the Swiss law, anyone gaining profit from the illegal activity exceeding 10,000 Swiss Francs is suitable for an additional indictment for aggravating money laundering.

Complementary indictment means an additional indictment pronounced in view of the gravity of the offence and in the context of money laundering. The examining magistrate issued summons on April 22, to Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and Jens Schelgelmilch to indict them additionally on the charges.

The summons for this hearing were served to Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari at the addresses given by them. The lawyers for Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari informed the magistrate that their respective clients were unable to appear before the court on medical grounds. They submitted medical certificates as evidence. -APP