'Bofors case targeted me, but was aimed at others'

New Delhi: Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi on Wednesday blamed his friendship with the Gandhis for all his legal troubles in the Bofors case, saying "the friendship has made me the target of all sorts of political attacks."

Speaking to PTI while returning to Italy after a six-month detention in Argentina, Quattrocchi also alleged that the 'political attacks' targeted at him may not be aimed at him, but at people he was friends with.

Quattrocchi said he was happy to be on his way home and was looking forward to spending time with his family.

"The CBI has gone out of its way, breaking every rule of honest conduct to go after me in what has clearly been a political persecution," he alleged.

"This is demonstrated by the fact that I have won every single case in a court of law in connection with the Bofors case, and this continued persecution makes you think that at the end, they are only interested in kicking up a media frenzy for ulterior motives," he said.

"The fact, however, is that I suffered immense damage as a result. Being a foreigner also made me a more appealing target for all sorts of contorted political conspiracies," he said.

Speaking about the notice for his arrest, Quattrocchi told PTI that he strongly believed that Interpol did not exercise due care with the issuance of the Red Corner Notice against him.

Interestingly, the Red Corner Notice against Quattrocchi will still remain in effect for now.

Asked about the future of the case, Quattrocchi cited his success in legal battles linked to the Bofors case in Malaysia, Britain and now Argentina and said he would not give up. "I will certainly press on with all legal remedies at my disposal and may even take the CBI to court for moral and material damage," he said.

"I have won every single case brought against me in a court of law. Both the Malaysian and Argentine judiciaries have (asked) India to pay costs to me. After 22 years, I think it is time the CBI closes the case which has become more of an obsession and where not a single iota of evidence has been produced to support any charge of wrongdoing," he added.