GENEVA Some 800 million Swiss francs (516 million euros, $488 million) have been frozen in bank accounts in Switzerland and abroad in connection with allegations of corruption during the sale of French frigates to Taiwan, a Swiss public prosecutor said on Tuesday.

Bernard Bertossa, the public prosecutor for Geneva, said the money was frozen at the request of the Geneva justice authorities. He declined to identify the banks.

The move came as part of an investigation into the alleged payment of illegal commissions to bring about the controversial sale by defense firm Thomson of six French warships to Taiwan in 1991.

The sale was allegedly secured after Thomson paid officials at French oil giant Elf to garner support for the deal.

Geneva examining magistrate Paul Perraudin is heading the inquiry into the Swiss aspects of the affair.

Perraudin had the money blocked in Switzerland and in other countries, including Luxembourg, about 10 days ago, Bertossa said.

Zurich magistrate Dave Zollinger confirmed to AFP on June 18 that authorities had blocked 250 million Swiss francs ($150 million) held in Zurich bank accounts on suspicion it could be linked to the frigate affair.

"The matter is evolving and I don't want to say any more," Bertossa commented on Tuesday.

Liechtenstein authorities have also blocked 38.7 million euros on suspicion it could be connected to the affair.

The Elf corruption inquiry has rocked France's political establishment.

Elf's former deputy chief Alfred Sirven, who was captured in the Philippines on February 2 after four years on the run, was until 1996 in charge of Elf's international activities.

He was described by prosecutors as the mastermind of a multi-million dollar slush fund run by the company and was alleged to have channelled illegal commissions to intermediaries, notably for the controversial sale of French frigates to Taiwan.

Sirven is currently in a French jail, awaiting trial on charges of misappropriation of corporate property.