The heir to the Samsung empire and four other top executives from the world's biggest smartphone maker have been indicted on multiple charges including bribery and embezzlement, South Korean prosecutors said.
"Special prosecutors today indicted Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong ... for bribery, embezzlement, hiding of assets overseas ... and perjury," said Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman for the team probing the corruption and power abuse scandal that has seen President Park Geun-hye impeached, on Tuesday.
"The potential penalties if this goes to trial, and he is found guilty, are severe," said Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul. "He can get up to life in prison if embezzlement is found to be of a sufficient amount."
