Britain confirms involvement in Czech probe of BAE Systems

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Britain's Serious Fraud Office confirmed that it was involved in an investigation into defence group BAE Systems' dealings in the Czech Republic.

Swedish prosecutors are investigating Saab AB -- which is 20 percent owned by BAE Systems -- over bribery allegations relating to a deal to sell aircraft to the Czech army, according to a report in the Financial Times on Tuesday.

For its part, BAE Systems rejected the allegations and said it would cooperate with the SFO.

"We are in contact with Czech authorities who are looking into BAE Systems' dealings on a mutual-legal-assistance basis," an SFO spokeswoman told the financial newswire AFX News.

"We are in a position where we can make formal requests for information from the Czech...