Support The Moscow Times!

TeliaSonera Denies Bribery

STOCKHOLM — TeliaSonera rebutted allegations that two of its employees engaged in bribery and money laundering while starting operations in Uzbekistan several years ago, despite new evidence from prosecutors.

"We are convinced that the ongoing investigations will clarify that we have not bribed anyone or participated in money laundering," TeliaSonera said last week.

In 2007, TeliaSonera signed a 2.3 billion kroner ($350 million) deal with an Uzbek firm, Takilant, to obtain a 3G operator's license in the country. Last year, reports surfaced in Swedish media that the firm had ties to Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, and that a large bribe was paid to her to obtain the license.

Earlier this month, Swedish prosecutors submitted documents to a court  suggesting that TeliaSonera paid a bribe to Karimova via the Gibraltar-based Takilant.

(AP)

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more