On the same day, Russian operator Vimpelcom's headquarters in Amsterdam were visited by the Dutch public prosecutor in connection with a criminal investigation. Vimpelcom said the investigation, as well as inquiries underway by US officials, centres on its Uzbekistan operation, but did not provide further details.
TeliaSonera is already under investigation by Swedish authorities for suspicions of corruption and bribery in connection with the acquisition of its licence in Uzbekistan from a company thought to be a front for the daughter of Uzebkistan president Islam Karimov. The Swedish operator has denied the corruption allegations, but its top management resigned last year after two reviews by law firms found shortcomings in its corporate governance. The material from the reviews was handed out over to Swedish prosecutors.
The investigation into Vimpelcom is likely related to the allegations against TeliaSonera, which Vimpelcom has warned about in SEC filings. The Gibraltar-based company Takilant, from which TeliaSonera bought its Uzebk licence, held a minority stake in Vimeplcom's Uzbek operation from 2007 until 2009. Takilant is also under investigation in Switzerland for allegations of money-laundering and bribery.
