Federal prosecutor’s office investigating: charges against raw materials companies for corruption

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The BA opened a criminal investigation against unknown persons in July 2020 on suspicion of bribery of foreign officials and money laundering in connection with possible corruption payments to Angolan officials. This is evident from a statement from the BA published on Wednesday. In August 2021, the criminal investigation was expanded to the first suspect.

The BA writes that it concerns the former director and board member of Sonangol Distribuidora SA, the subsidiary of Angola’s state oil company (Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola EP, Sonangol).

Swiss branch

Between January and March 2023, the investigation into suspected bribery of foreign officials was expanded to include a former intermediary of the Trafigura group of companies in Angola and the former general manager and member of the board of directors of Trafigura Beheer BV, as well as the company itself.

As the BA explains, Trafigura Beheer, based in the Netherlands, was the reference parent company of commodity trading company Trafigura between 2009 and 2011. It had branches in Geneva and Lucerne. At the time, the Trafigura group of companies was active in the field of ship chartering and bunkering, mainly in Angola.

Their main opponent was the Angolan government or Sonangol EP and its subsidiaries, especially Sonangol Distribuisora ​​SA, which was responsible for the distribution and marketing of petroleum products.

won 3.9 million euros

According to the indictment, between April 2009 and October 2011, the first defendant, in his role as an Angolan official, received improper benefits in the form of fund transfers of approximately 4.3 million euros to a banking relationship in Geneva, involving a total of $604,000 in cash payments done. dollars in Angola and accepted hotel accommodation and meal expenses of 800 francs in connection with a stay in Geneva.

The second defendant, who acted as an intermediary for the Trafigura group of companies where he previously worked through an offshore company, allegedly transferred part of the aforementioned amounts to the Angolan official in the form of transfers of 3.9 million euros between August 2011 . 2009 and October 2011 to an account in Geneva and making cash payments in US dollars in Angola.

The director rejects the accusations

The third defendant is said to have awarded part of the above amounts between July 2009 and October 2011, mainly in his role as manager of the Trafigura group of companies in Geneva. Alternatively, he is accused of allowing these unlawful benefits through negligence.

In exchange for the above-mentioned funds, the Angolan official is said to have represented the interests of the group. The revenue from these contracts would have given them a profit of $143.7 million to date.

The BA accuses Trafigura Beheer of not having taken all necessary and reasonable organizational measures to prevent the commission of crimes involving active bribery of foreign officials.

The internal regulations of the Trafigura group of companies are said to not meet international standards for the prevention of corruption.

Trafigura Beheer wants to defend itself in court against the allegations made against it, the company wrote in a press release published on Wednesday. The former director, who is also accused, denies all allegations. (SDA)

Source:Blick