LONDON (AP) — British and French authorities have opened investigations into France-based defense group Thales over suspected bribery and corruption.
In a statement on Thursday, Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said it hopes the joint investigation with France’s Parquet National Financier will further strengthen their cooperation against international corruption.
“Working with our international partners is a crucial factor in the fight against international corruption and with this case I hope to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the SFO and the PNF, based on mutual cooperation and shared success,” said Nick Ephgrave, Director from the Serious Fraud Office: “We will together rigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation into these serious allegations.”
The SFO has not detailed the exact allegations, but reports say police in France, the Netherlands and Spain searched the company’s offices in June over suspicions of corruption linked to arms sales abroad.
Thales is a major defense contractor and many of its products are shipped to support Ukraine in the fight against Russia’s large-scale invasion after February 2022.
