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GRIPEN

Prosecutor shuts down Gripen bribes probe

Sweden’s top prosecutor has decided to abandon his ongoing bribery investigation in connection with the export of Saab AB’s JAS Gripen fighter jet.

Published: 16 June 2009 18:43 CEST
Prosecutor shuts down Gripen bribes probe

Christer van der Kwast said in a statement issued by the Swedish Prosecutors’ Authority (Åklagarmyndigheten) that BAE Systems, the UK-based defence and aerospace firm at the centre of the investigation, made “large hidden payments” as a part of its efforts to sell the Gripen in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and South Africa.

“But based on the material that exists, I can’t confirm that any representative from Saab AB or Gripen International has willfully cooperated with BAE to pay out bribes after July 1st, 2004 in a way that would be punishable according to Swedish law,” said van der Kwast in a statement.

The statue of limitations has already run out on any crimes committed before that date.

Saab welcomed news of van der Kwast’s decision.

“The decision is fully in line with what we have claimed all along”, said Saab spokesperson Cecilia Schön Jansson, in a statement.

“No illegal methods have been forthcoming from Saab, and this is strengthened by the fact that the Chief Prosecutor now decided to close the investigation.”

According to Saab, the company acted in accordance with existing laws and regulations and is happy that it “now can put this behind us”.

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TRAVEL

Denmark bans travel from South Africa over new virus variant

Denmark said it is barring entry to non-Danish residents of South Africa due to fears over the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus there.

Published: 6 January 2021 13:35 CET
Denmark bans travel from South Africa over new virus variant
Passengers at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December 2020. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters/Ritzau Scanpix

South Africans and other foreign nationals who reside in Denmark will be allowed to return to Denmark from South Africa under the restrictions.

Denmark has not recorded any cases of the new variant, which was detected by South African authorities in mid-December and has since been found in a number of other countries.

The South African variant and another which has emerged in Britain are said to be more infectious versions of the virus, and have prompted widespread concern. The two variants are not the same as each other.

Denmark's decision came into effect Wednesday and will last until January 17th.

“This means that foreigners residing in South Africa generally will be refused entry to Denmark during this period,” the justice ministry said in a statement late Tuesday.

The following groups from South Africa can be exempted and granted entry to Denmark:

  • Primary carers for children under the age of consent (upon documentation of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of arrival in Denmark)
  • Family or partners to seriously ill or dying persons in Denmark (upon documentation of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of arrival in Denmark)
  • Inward travel for the purpose of goods transport

Denmark, which is under a partial lockdown since mid-December, has almost 90 cases of the new British variant.

It has already barred entry to arrivals from Britain except for Danish nationals and permanent residents, who must present a negative virus test.

READ ALSO: Residents of Denmark returning from UK must take Covid-19 test within 24 hours of travel

Authorities said Tuesday they were toughening coronavirus restrictions and urged people to avoid social contacts.

“Stay at home as much as you can, don't meet people outside your household, those close to you,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a press conference.

 

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