* MTN: Turkcell claims it violated US laws
* Claims of bribery, asking government to back Iran
* MTN says claims lack legal merit
(Recasts, adds details, comment)
By David Dolan
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 2 (Reuters) – MTN Group,
Africa’s largest telecom group, said it faces a potential
lawsuit from rival Turkcell that it asked South
Africa to back Iran’s nuclear development in return for a
cellular licence in the country.
Johannesburg-based MTN said in a statement the Turkish
mobile operator, which unsuccessfully bid for the same licence,
will also claim that MTN asked South Africa to aid Iran’s
military and that it bribed officials of both governments.
MTN said it was informed by Turkcell about the potential
suit. Turkcell plans to file the charges in a U.S. court and the
claim amount would be “material”, MTN said.
Officials for Turkcell were not immediately available for
comment.
MTN said that none of the claims had been substantiated and
the charges lacked legal merit.
Continued…
