Chinese embassy expresses concern over raid of ICBC Madrid offices

Suspects are led by Spanish Civil Guard officers as they leave the headquarters of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) during a raid in Madrid, Spain, February 17, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - The Chinese Embassy in Spain on Wednesday issued a statement, expressing its concern over the reported raid of the Madrid offices of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) by Spanish law enforcers.

The statement said the Chinese Government "always demands that the offices of accredited Chinese companies working abroad strictly abide by the laws, both of China and the country they were working in."

The embassy said that according to the information it currently possesses, "these offices in Spain have acted according to these demands," and adds that so far it has not received any information about the operation "from any official department in Spain."

The statement came after Spanish Civil Guards reportedly raided the Madrid offices of the ICBC as part of a joint operation by the Civil Guard and Spain's Anti-Corruption Attorney's Office against alleged money laundering and tax fraud.

Wednesday's raid was reported to be connected with a major police operation known as Operation Snake, which, launched in May 2015, saw over 65 searches carried out in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia and led to over 30 arrests.