Total Says Executive Questioned Over Iraq Oil Deals Is Innocent

The French oil company Total rallied on Friday to the defense of its second in command and designated chief executive, Christophe de Margerie, after he was taken into custody and questioned about possible illegal payments for Iraqi oil.

Mr. de Margerie, 55, and a former Total executive, Bernard de Combret, 63, were released on bail on Thursday after being held for 48 hours. The two men were questioned by Judge Philippe Courroye, who is investigating possible kickbacks linked to the United Nations-supervised oil-for-food program in Iraq.