Our selection of this week's anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of this week’s anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media:
Global
Arab Spring, Eurozone crisis countries rank poorly in corruption index
TrustLaw, UK
Arab countries that have faced popular uprisings and countries afflicted by the Eurozone debt crisis have scored poorly in a ranking by anti-graft watchdog Transparency International (TI) that measures perceived levels of corruption.
How to calculate bribery proceeds – report
TrustLaw, UK
Calculating the proceeds of bribery is a major challenge that law enforcers may now find easier thanks to a new report offering tips taken from countries around the world.
Africa
Nigerian accountants want corrupt officials’ assets seized
TrustLaw, Senegal
Nigeria’s institute of chartered accountants (ICAN) has urged authorities to start confiscating assets of people who are found guilty of corruption.
Nigerian anti-graft agency takes staff member to court for fraud
TrustLaw, Senegal
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has dragged a member of its staff to court for misappropriating funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said.
ANALYSIS-Tsar sacking unlikely to curb Nigerian graft
TrustLaw, UK
The sacking this week of Nigeria's anti-graft chief may give the country's fight against corruption a short-term boost, but significant change is unlikely without deeper reforms to the justice system, analysts say.
Sierra Leone denies film's corruption claims
The Independent, UK
The Sierra Leone government held crisis meetings last week after undercover film-makers claimed to have exposed a chain of corruption and deceit linked to illegal logging which is destroying the West African country's environment.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
Corruption suspected in deadly Indonesian bridge collapse
TrustLaw, Thailand
Authorities in Indonesia suspect corruption may have played a part in the deadly collapse of a bridge in east Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
India’s political system is most corrupt, says Rahul Gandhi
TrustLaw, India
India’s political system is the most corrupt institution in the country and graft can only be stemmed if the system changes, Rahul Gandhi, heir to India’s most successful political dynasty, was quoted as saying.
India corruption protesters dump snakes in busy tax office
The Guardian, UK
Two farmers fed up with bribery demands have dumped three sacks filled with snakes on the floor of a busy tax office in northern India.
Myanmar chief minister sacked for bribery
Radio Free Asia, Myanmar
A high-ranking Burmese regional official was dismissed for what local merchants say was bribery connected to the lucrative rice trade.
North America
Canada clamps down on corruption
Calgary Herald, Canada
The stunning $9.5-million fine of Niko Resources for bribing a Bangladeshi official is only the beginning of criminal charges in Canada for corruption of foreign officials, experts say.
Prosecutors seek stiff sentence for former U.S. governor
Chicago Tribune, U.S.
Federal prosecutors are asking that former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich be sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison for his sweeping corruption conviction.
Europe
Lawmakers tell UK gvt to publish anti-graft report
TrustLaw, UK
British lawmakers have urged the government to publish an annual anti-corruption report in order to publicise the steps it has taken to reduce international graft.
Latin America
Colombia to join OECD anti-bribery convention
TrustLaw, UK
Colombia has become the latest country to be invited to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Working Group on Bribery, a precursor to joining the Paris-based organisation’s Anti-Bribery Convention.
Q+A: Is Haiti a good bet for foreign investors?
TrustLaw, Colombia
Peter Sollis, senior advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank’s Haiti Response Group in Washington, spoke to TrustLaw’s Latin America correspondent about what the bank is doing to ensure money is well spent on the ground, what anti-corruption mechanisms are in place, and the challenges to doing business there.
Haitian pop star Wyclef Jean defends charity’s spending
TrustLaw, Colombia
Haitian hip hop star Wyclef Jean has defended a charity he founded against claims it squandered money meant for disaster relief after a massive earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
