Acting upon the evidence gathered by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) the government has decided to take legal action against Siemens Bangladesh Ltd.
Source said Siemens Bangladesh Ltd has admitted that between May 2001 and August 2006 it made payments of at least $5,319,839 in bribes to various Bangladeshi officials through purported business consultants in exchange for favourable treatment during the bidding process for a contract of Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB).
Siemens Bangladesh got a contract of Tk 10 lakh mobile project' of BTTB, which eventually was named TeleTalk.
Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, minister for post and telecommunication, told the reporters "We are looking into all possible legal actions against Siemens Bangladesh and others who were involved in the scandal,"
Asked if Siemens will be blacklisted in Bangladesh, he said: "The government has already taken the issue very seriously as it is related to the country's image. After examining all sides we will consider whether Siemens will work in Bangladesh or not."
The US has said that Bangladesh may get the bribe money allegedly paid by the telecom giant to some people including former prime minister Khaleda Koko is alleged to have stashed the money in bank accounts in Singapore, where he is convalescing in a hospital.
"It is the policy of the United States to, where possible, return corruption proceeds to the victim country. This position is also consistent with the US' obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption," an US Embassy spokesman said.
He said: "Where foreign law enforcement provides substantial assistance in forfeiture cases, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) policy is to share the proceeds with the assisting country."
The alleged bribe was paid by German telecom giant Siemens to win a cellphone network contract in Bangladesh.
Source: http://priyo.com/news/2009/01/16/19073.html
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