Britain’s fraud watchdog said on Thursday it had launched criminal proceedings against a unit of French engineering firm Alstom over alleged corruption in India, Poland and Tunisia.
“As part of an ongoing investigation, criminal proceedings by the Serious Fraud Office have commenced today against an Alstom company in the UK,” the Serious Fraud Office said in a statement.
The charges relate to corruption in Alstom Network UK Ltd, a UK subsidiary of Alstom, which allegedly took place between 2000 and 2006, the SFO said.
All offences “concern large transport projects in India, Poland and Tunisia,” it added, without giving further details.
An initial hearing will take place at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 9, the statement added.
Alstom said separately that it would “work with the SFO to seek a fair and appropriate resolution”.