* MTN has previously said case lacks legal merit
* Faces $4.2 bln suit from Turkcell over Iran licence
(Adds details, background)
JOHANNESBURG, April 12 (Reuters) – South Africa’s MTN
on Thursday denied allegations it used corrupt
practices and promises of weapons to win its licence in Iran,
the first time the mobile operator has clearly rejected
two-month old charges from rival Turkcell.
“Any suggestion that Turkcell’s failure to obtain the
licence was as a result of any alleged corrupt or improper
practices by MTN is unfounded,” MTN’s CEO Sifiso Dabengwa said
in a statement.
“The allegation that MTN influenced South African foreign
policy with regard to its armaments and nuclear position is
simply ludicrous and has already been dismissed by the South
African government.”
MTN first said in February that it faced a suit from
Turkcell claiming it bribed officials and asked South
Africa to provide weapons to Iran and take a soft stance on
Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the licence.
Turkey’s largest mobile operator initially won a bid for the
licence in 2004. Tehran later backed out of the deal and awarded
the business to MTN in 2005.
Turkcell filed a $4.2 billion suit against MTN in a U.S.
court late last month.
MTN has said the case lacked legal merit, but had previously
stopped short of a full denial.
Continued…
