The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the UK has charged the French engineering giant Alstom with corruption.
Alstom is a manufacturer in the rail, power and electricity transmission sectors.
Alstom Network UK Ltd, a UK subsidiary of Alstom, was charged with three charges of corruption contrary to section one of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, as well as three charges of Conspiracy to Corrupt contrary to section one of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
The charges focus on large transport projects that Alstom was involved with in India, Poland and Tunisia.
The SFO investigation commenced as a result of information provided to the SFO by the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland concerning the Alstom Group, in particular Alstom Network UK Ltd.
The Serious Fraud Office is an independent government department responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious and complex fraud and corruption.