The announcement came after German magazine Stern reported that the arms embargo against the regime of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had been broken by companies based in Germany, Jordan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Syria, Turkey and the United States.

The 15 detainees are understood to include several Polish suspects of Arab origin.

"The preliminary investigation is drawing to a close," prosecutors' spokesman Dariusz Knapczynski told the Polish news agency PAP.

"After the last few procedures have been completed, an indictment will be sent to the court."

Stern reported that in April 2002 a Polish company had signed a 1.3-million-dollar (1.13-million-euro) contract with Saddam's regime for 32 missile propulsion systems.

Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza in February reported the arrest of a businessman from the southern Polish region of Silesia and the discovery of parts for Russian SA-2 anti-aircraft missiles in the possession of his associates.

The ABW national security agency said at that time that the case involved sales tax fraud and trading in special goods without a licence, but dismissed as "speculation" reports that it was linked to illegal arms sales to Iraq.

WAR.WIRE