Alstom corruption case trial to start in May 2016

January 28, 2015 08:27 pm | Updated April 22, 2016 02:23 am IST - London

The trial of a division of French engineering firm Alstom accused by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office of making corrupt payments in a contract for the New Delhi Metro is set to begin in May 2016, following proceedings held in London on Tuesday. At a crowded plea and management hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London, both sides agreed to a trial date of May 23, 2016, for phase 1 of what is likely to be a three-phase trial.

The hearing took place for over an hour, during which the judge and lawyers for both sides negotiated other important trial dates in the case. These include a two-to-three day preparatory trial in October and an additional pre-trial hearing in April. Simon Farrell QC, and that of Alstom by Alex Cameron QC lead the prosecution case.

Four former and current Alstom executives were present at the proceedings, including Robert Hallet, the former MD of Alstom Transport India, and Graham Hill. Both face charges in phase 1 of the trial alongside Alstom Network U.K. Alstom Network U.K. is alleged to have paid 3.3 million euros in bribes disguised as payments for “consultancy agreements” to obtain infrastructure contracts relating to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, as well as contracts for infrastructure projects in Poland and Tunisia.

During the preparatory trial in October, the defence is likely to put forward the case for dismissal of the case. Three other matters will also be discussed. These relate to territorial jurisdiction of the anti-corruption law in the U.K., the standing of Tunisian courts, and evidence relating to a Swiss citizen, Bruno Kaelin, who remains in Switzerland. The presiding judge extended the bail for Mr. Hallett and Mr. Hill during Tuesday’s proceedings.

A date has not yet been set for phase 2 of the trial, which involves another division – Alstom Power Ltd – and contracts in Lithuania. The prosecution said a third phase involving Hungary was likely to open up.

The prosecution said that it awaited testimony from individuals in India, which it expects to receive by July 31.

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