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
Anti-graft team set up for Zimbabwe judiciary
The Herald, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs has set up a 19-member internal anti-corruption committee to deal with rampant cases of corruption in the legal system.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
Indian bill risks diluting anti-graft efforts - activist
TrustLaw, UK
India’s long-awaited anti-corruption bill will undermine its main agency for tackling graft, and could spark further protests unless it is amended, according to campaigner Kiran Bedi, a former high-ranking Indian policewoman.
India anti-corruption Lokpal bill tabled in parliament
BBC, UK
India's controversial anti-corruption Lokpal bill has been re-introduced in the upper house of parliament. The parliament is due to discuss the bill on May 22.
Corruption claims sour East Timor party
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
The East Timorese political party headed by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has been accused of corruptly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations. Gusmao said the promises of money by East Timorese and Indonesian companies at a recent fund-raising dinner for the CNRT party were ''fictitious … more show than real''. Under East Timor's laws, political parties are prohibited from receiving donations from local companies.
Thai PM launches anti-corruption campaign
AsiaOne, Thailand
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed top officials to rally behind a campaign to root out corruption, especially in relation to bribes being taken in exchange for government positions.
Europe
Putin's effort to block US sanctions serves corrupt officials - Hermitage Capital
TrustLaw, UK
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy goal of stopping U.S. sanctions against Russian individuals and companies shows that his government is “working in the interests of corrupt officials”, UK-based investment fund Hermitage Capital said.
Russia’s Navalny debit card to give anti-corruption rewards
The Moscow Times, Russia
Russian corruption fighter and opposition blogger Alexei Navalny has reached an agreement with a bank to release a debit card that will raise funds for his non-profit anti-graft organisation.
UK tax official arrested in probe into bribery by journalists
Evening Standard, UK
An employee of the UK’s Revenue and Customs was arrested by police investigating alleged bribes paid by journalists to public officials. The official was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and on suspicion of corruption.
Americas
Brazil rocked by corruption scandal
Guardian, UK
Brazil is being rocked by a graft scandal involving local and national policymakers, police officers and business leaders, with a special panel preparing to question the alleged mastermind.
Bribery case at Wal-Mart may widen
New York Times, U.S.
As supermarket giant Wal-Mart reported higher-than-expected first-quarter earnings, it suggested in a regulatory filing that the scope of an internal investigation into bribery accusations had widened beyond the retailer’s subsidiary in Mexico.
Middle East
Adviser to Arafat wanted for embezzlement, fraud
Jerusalem Post, Israel
A former top economic adviser to ex-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is wanted by the Palestinian Authority for embezzlement and fraud. Muhammad Rashid is accused of involvement in corruption cases and embezzlement of public funds, especially those belonging to the Palestinian Investment Fund.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
