• austriantimes.at
• croatiantimes.com
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

03. 09. 09. - 09:00

• more General News news...
• RSS Feed General News

03. 09. 09. - 09:00

Romanian Frigate deal probe is stopped

Mediafax

Britain’s Serious Fraud Office has stopped investigations over price irregularities in the sale of two frigates to Romania.

Romania’s Anticorruption Department (DNA) gave up the investigation in June and this week revealed that the British had been in touch to inform them that they had also now stopped the investigation.

It will remain on ice unless fresh evidence in the case emerges, British and Romanian officials revealed.

The investigation centred on bribery allegations in the sale of the frigates "King Ferdinand" and "Queen Mary" from Great Britain to Romania.

On April 28, 2006, the British authorities asked Romania’s General Prosecutor’s Office for legal assistance in the inquiry into the procurement of British frigates by Romania. The case was directed to the National Anticorruption Department on May 10, 2006.

On June 8, 2006, a Romanian woman and her British-born husband were arrested in London on charges of receiving proceeds from the sale of two British warships to Romania.

Barry George, 61, and his Romanian born wife, Georgiana, 41, were arrested after police searched their home and seized documents. At the time, George was acting as BAE Systems Ltd agent during the frigate deal.

The UK Serious Fraud Office was investigating a "commission" of 7 million GBP paid to BAE, Britain’s largest company in the defence sector.

Sources within the Commerce Ministry said BAE admitted that a commission had been paid, but declined to say who received it.

Barry George had allegedly obtained one per cent from the value of the contract, while a further seven per cent had allegedly gone to unknown people.

George and his wife were set free after 24 hours in jail after the police confiscated 20,000 GBP found in their home.

Romanian investigators also searched the company of Barry George’s family in Bucharest.

Teo Trandafir resigns over health problems
Former TV star Teo Trandafir announced today (Fri) she was resigning from her position as lawmaker.

Wizz Air fills bankrupt Malev's shoes
Low cost airliner Wizz Air announced today (Fri) it would start a new route Bucharest - Budapest, after Hungarian state-owned company Malev suspended all activity and announced it was on the edge of bankruptcy.

Romania's population down due to migration
Romania's population dropped by 2.6 million persons in the last ten years, the first data of the census performed in October has shown.

Twenty-four dead in cold weather
Another two persons died in the last 24 hours, in Romania, due to hypothermia the Health Ministry said today (Fri).

Schools closed over bad weather
School classes were suspended in 373 institutions in 29 counties all over Romania, due to meteorologists' warnings of heavy snow, blizzards and low temperatures.

More gypsies in Romania census shows
Romania's population is falling but the number of gypsies is increasing despite massive emigration according to new census statistics.

Bosch starts 77 mn Euro investment in Romania with state aid
German automotive components producer Bosch will invest 77 million Euros in a new production facility in Jucu, Cluj county, northwestern Romania, Romanian Prime Minister (PM) Emil Boc was informed today (Thurs).

Army ready to fight snow
The Romanian Army is prepared for the emergency situations provoked by heavy snow and blizzards with 4,000 soldiers and over 1,000 pieces of equipment, the Defence Ministry said today (Thurs).

Boeing aircraft on sale by the tax administration
A Boeing aircrfat is up for auction at the local tax administration in Bacau, northern Romania, for as low as 20,000 Euros.

Twenty-two died in cold weather
There were 22 persons who lost their lives amid the lowest temperatures this winter, which dropped as low as minus 32.5 Celsius.