Schreiber tax evasion case nears verdict

Prosecutors in Germanyare seekinga 9-year prison term for Karlheinz Schreiber, who is on trial on tax evasion charges.

A verdict in the case, which is being heard in the southern city of Augsburg, is expected by Wednesday.

In his closing arguments, prosecutor Marcus Paintinger said Schreiber failed to report millions of dollars of income, the DAPD news agency reported.

Schreiber, 76, is accused of failing to report money he allegedly received as kickbacks on the sale of helicopters to Canada, Airbus aircraft to Canada and Thailand, and tanks to Saudi Arabia.

Schreiberhas pleaded not guilty.

He could facea maximum of10 years behind bars if convicted.

Schreiber's lawyer, Jan Olaf Leisner, called for his client's acquittal, saying the prosecution had "lost all sense of proportion"in seekinga 9-year sentence.

The German-Canadian businessman was extradited to Germany in August after losing a 10-year legal fight in Canada.

Schreiber's dealings withonetime prime minister Brian Mulroney became the subject of a public inquiry. Mulroney saidat the inquiry that he took $225,000 in cash from Schreiber to promote the sale of armouredvehicles. He said he didn't ask for cash and there was nothing "sinister" in accepting it.

Following testimony from both Schreiber and Mulroney during public hearings in 2009 in Ottawa, Justice Jeffrey Oliphant is to present his report on their dealings by May 31. The probe was ordered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.