US Reminds Montenegro to Probe Telekom Sale

The US Ambassador in Podgorica, Sue Brown, on Tuesday repeated a call for the Montenegrin government to examine evidence that the US authorities have concerning alleged bribery in the privatization of the state-owned Montenegro Telekom firm in 2005.

Brown repeated an invitation to the Montenegrin government, which was also sent last year, when the US revealed it had evidence of corruption in the Telekom sale case.

The US then urged Montenegro to conduct an investigation and bring any guilty parties to justice.

Although Montenegro's organised crime prosecutor in 2012 launched a probe into accusations that officials accepted bribes concerning the sale, no indictments have been brought, nor have any officials visited the United States to review the documents.

"When it comes to Telekom, it is all clear - we have sent an invitation and we expect that the representatives of the Government will address it in coming months and visit the United States to review all files in that case," Brown told TV Vijesti on Tuesday.
 
The US Commission of Security and Stock Exchange said evidence of corruption during the Telekom sale came to light in the US when Magyar Telekom shares were listed on the American Stock Exchange.

Magyar Telekom obtained a 76.53 per cent interest in Montenegrin Telekom in 2005 and thus became the majority owner of the company. Deutsche Telekom AG meanwhile holds 59.21 per cent of the shares in Magyar Telekom.

US investigating authorities say they have information that three directors of Magyar Telekom bribed several Montenegrin officials as well as the "sister of a senior official who is practicing law" to ensure that the bid for Telekom was accepted.

In 2012, parliament launched a probe...