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:
Africa
Swaziland's King Mswati III given jet by 'sponsors'
BBC, UK
King Mswati III of Swaziland has received a luxury jet as a gift from "anonymous sponsors", a government spokesperson has confirmed.
Americas
Shot Brazil journalist becomes fourth killed this year
BBC, UK
National and international media groups are calling on the Brazilian authorities to fully investigate the murder of a campaigning journalist who wrote about political corruption and hired killers.
Panama president denies Italy bribery accusations
The Gulf Today (AFP), UAE
Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli has denied his government received bribes from a fugitive linked to a sex and corruption case involving former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
U.S. lawmakers submit updated Magnitsky Bill
The Moscow Times, Russia
Fifteen U.S. lawmakers have submitted a bill to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials implicated in the death of anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.
Corruption in Canadian state widespread, watchdog says
The Globe and Mail, Canada
The anti-corruption squad in the Canadian province of Quebec has no fewer than 16 investigations under way.
Corrupt U.S. ex-governor washing dishes in jail
NY Daily News, U.S.
The jailed ex-governor of the U.S. state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is now scrubbing pots and pans behind bars six days a week as he serves out his 14-year prison sentence for corruption. Two of his former attorneys said that Blagojevich — who now resides at the Englewood Federal Correctional Center in Colorado — was assigned to kitchen duty for 90 days.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
Indian anti-graft activists to hold joint fast against corruption
India Today, India
Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and yoga guru Baba Ramdev have announced that they will hold a symbolic one day fast on June 3 in order to mark the one year anniversary of Ramdev’s anti-corruption campaign in India.
Corruption hearings in Australian state to be secret
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
The Australian state of Victoria’s yet-to-be established anti-corruption body will conduct most hearings in secret, a bill detailing the remit of the body said.
China to curb bribery by companies investing abroad
China Daily (Xinhua), China
China's anti-corruption agencies will tighten supervision over domestic companies that attempt to engage in commercial bribery as part of overseas investment projects, a senior discipline inspector has said.
One in four Johannesburg drivers asked for bribe by police
News24, South Africa
One in four drivers in the South African city of Johannesburg paid a bribe to traffic police in 2010, according to a survey by the South African watchdog Corruption Watch.
Europe
Far-reaching whistleblower laws needed in Ireland, says watchdog
Irish Times, Ireland
Irish whistleblower laws should allow public servants to inform lawmakers of negligence when those concerns are ignored by colleagues, the anti-graft watchdog Transparency International Ireland said.
Chief executive of UK anti-graft agency quits unexpectedly
Financial Times, UK
The chief executive of the UK’s Serious Fraud Office, Phillippa Williamson, has stepped down unexpectedly, only days before its director is also due to leave.
British journalist arrested over payments to public officials
The Independent, UK
The royal editor of The Sun newspaper, Duncan Larcombe, has been arrested as part of Operation Elveden the police investigation into alleged payments to public officials.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
