Huawei has fired two employees and suspended another over a corruption scandal
Kyiv • UNN
Huawei has fired two employees and suspended a third for their involvement in a corruption scandal. They are suspected of bribing European politicians to lobby for the company's interests.
Huawei has fired two employees and suspended a third over their possible involvement in a corruption scandal involving the bribery of European politicians to lobby for the interests of the Chinese technology giant, POLITICO reports, UNN writes.
Details
The Chinese company "fired two people" on April 1 and suspended the contract of another on April 2, according to a statement from a Huawei representative.
We take the current investigation seriously. The company adheres to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. As always, we are fully committed to complying with all laws and regulations
The press secretary did not disclose the identity or role of the employees affected by the measures.
A lobbyist, a top manager and a procurement manager of Huawei became defendants in the investigation of corruption, thanks to which European politicians promoted the interests of the Chinese manufacturer in the EU market.
Addition
Last week, procedural hearings in the case began in a Brussels court. Officials were preliminarily charged with corruption, participation in a criminal organization and money laundering. However, their guilt has not yet been proven.
Due to the lack of comments from the official Huawei office, it is unknown whether the three employees dismissed and suspended by the company are the same officials who were charged in Belgium.
The Belgian prosecutor's office charged eight people three weeks after searches in offices in Belgium and Portugal, including Huawei's lobbying office in Brussels.
Investigators are checking the fact of illegal payments to ensure political support for an open letter that defends the interests of the Chinese company. It was signed by eight members of the European Parliament.
Of the eight suspects, three are under electronic surveillance, two were released on bail, and three remain in prison, according to the prosecutor's statement.
Reminder
Belgian police searched Huawei's offices in Brussels on suspicion of corruption of MEPs. Lobbyists could pay bribes to influence EU decisions.
