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PRESS ROUND-UP: Corruption stories in the news August 23-29

by Luke Balleny | http://www.twitter.com/LBalleny | Thomson Reuters Foundation
Wednesday, 1 September 2010 17:40 GMT

Africa

Rwanda: Corruption cases down by more than 50 percent - report

allAfrica.com, Rwanda

The number of corruption cases has reduced by 52.6 percent since 2005, a report on crime recently released by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) indicates. The report shows that only 91 cases were registered by June this year compared to 192 cases recorded six years ago. Corruption was at a record high in 2007 where it increased by 138 percent from 145 cases the previous year to 345 cases, according to the report.

South Asia & Asia-Pacific

Gegong Apang held for Rs 1,000 -cr PDS scam          

Business Standard, India

Following the arrest of Madhu Koda, former chief minister of the Indian state of Jharkhand, another former chief minister has been arrested on charges of corruption. Gegong Apang (61), the former chief minister of the state of Arunachal Pradesh has been arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for his alleged involvement in a Rs 1,000-crore ($214million) public distribution system (PDS) scam. The scam was detected after false and inflated bills for procurement and transportation of food grain meant for public distribution system were found.

Indonesian president's anti-corruption stance questioned

People’s Daily, China

The anti-corruption stance of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was elected for a second term in 2009 on pledges to root out corruption, was questioned by the public with his recent grant of parole to his son's father-in-law Aulia Pohan and some other high-level corrupt officials. Aulia Pohan, former deputy governor of Bank of Indonesia who was sentenced to three years for involvement in a graft case worth 100 billion rupiah ($11million) was granted parole on the anniversary of the Independence Day on August 17 having served two-thirds of his four year sentence.

Immigration investigates 34 staff for misconduct

 New Zealand Herald, New Zealand

Thirty-four Immigration New Zealand staff are being investigated for misconduct, including allegations of fraud and corruption. This follows the sacking this year of seven immigration staff, three of whom were directly involved in visa processing. In the past 12 months, immigration officials faced 60 allegations of fraud, corruption and dishonesty, of which 10 were substantiated, 27 unsubstantiated and 23 were being investigated reported the Chief of Immigration New Zealand.

North America

Cop accused of corruption held in Montego Bay

Jamaica Observer, Jamaica

A traffic policeman was detained yesterday in Montego Bay, Jamaica by members of the Police Anti-Corruption Branch, on suspicion of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act. The police said the constable, who has more than 11 years of service in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, was arrested after he allegedly collected money from a motorist for the release of his vehicle from a pound.

Europe

Chirac poised to avoid graft trial

Financial Times, UK (subscription required)

Jacques Chirac, France’s former president, could escape a planned prosecution on corruption charges under a deal – as yet not agreed – in which he would repay some of the money he allegedly misused when he was mayor of Paris. The former head of state is due to stand trial later this year or early in 2011 on charges of misusing public funds. He is alleged to have created 21 phoney jobs for friends and political allies during his time as mayor of the capital in the early 1990s. Mr Chirac’s lawyers have drawn up a deal whereby the ex-president would repay €550,000 ($696,000) to the Paris mayor’s office as compensation. The centre-right UMP party, the successor to Mr Chirac’s RPR party, would pay the city hall €1.65m under the deal.

Latin America

Chilean miners' ordeal 'caused by greed and graft'

The Independent, UK

The Chilean mining accident was the result of a race for profits by mine owners – who may face criminal charges – combined with a scandalous disregard for safety, according to trade unionists. Despite a legal requirement, there were no alternative exits from the San Jose copper and gold mine, which has left 33 miners imprisoned 700 metres underground since August 5. The government ordered the closure of the San Jose mine after deaths in 2006 and 2007, but a year later a junior official, allegedly exceeding his powers, authorised its reopening without the owners having installed a stairway in the ventilation passages. This stairway would have saved the 33 men this month. Suspicion is growing that the mine was allowed to continue working only by dint of bribery. Chile, where vast fortunes have been made from mining, has only 16 mine inspectors to look after 4,500 mines.

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