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CORRUPTION

Sweden slammed for political funding secrecy

Transparency International Sweden has criticised the country for its lack of regulations governing the financing of political parties, arguing that "it is high time to wash off this unnecessary blemish on our democracy".

In western Europe only Malta, San Marino, Switzerland and Sweden do not regulate party financing, the organization wrote in an article in the Dagens Nyheter daily on Tuesday.

Transparency International Sweden, part of the global network Transparency International (TI), works to monitor and combat corruption. Its annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranks the degree of corruption in around 180 countries.

In 2008 Sweden was the country deemed to be the least corrupt, but in 2009 it fell two places. This year Sweden received the same number of points as last year, but fell further in the rankings.

“We remain among the top ranks however,” wrote TI Sweden regarding the CPI 2010 which is presented on Tuesday.

The survey was however completed before the massive corruption scandal in Gothenburg became known and TI Sweden argues that a slew of recent cases indicates that the incidence of corruption is on the rise in the country.

“As is clearly shown it is the municipal sector which is particularly exposed,” the organisation wrote in Dagens Nyheter.

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CORRUPTION

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president

Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, carrying out several arrests just six days ahead of the club's presidential elections, a Catalan regional police spokesman told AFP.

Barçagate: Police raid FC Barcelona offices and arrest former president
Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu is among the arrested. Photo: Josep Lago/AFP

Spain's Cadena Ser radio said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, along with CEO Oscar Grau and the club's head of legal services.

But the police refused to confirm names, saying only “arrests are taking place” and adding that the operation was being run by officers from the financial crimes unit.

“We are in the process of carrying out an operation right now with agents of the financial crimes unit,” the police spokesman told AFP.

According to reports in the Spanish media, the operation is linked to last year's investigation into the 'BarçaGate' scandal, which saw the club deny hiring a company to criticise current and former players on social media to improve the image of the then-president Bartomeu.

Cadena Ser said Barca paid €1 million in six separate invoices to the company I3 Ventures, with whom the club have since cut ties.

Bartomeu resigned in October, after mounting pressure following months of controversy and a dramatic decline in performances on the pitch.

His successor is due to be elected on Sunday, when club members will choose between the final three candidates, Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font.

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