British and French authorities have launched an investigation into the French defense conglomerate Thales over suspicions of bribery and corruption.
In a statement published on Thursday, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) expressed hope that the joint investigation with France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF) would further strengthen their cooperation in combating international corruption.
“Collaborating with our international partners is crucial in tackling global corruption. With this case, I hope to reinforce the longstanding relationship between the SFO and PNF, built on mutual collaboration and shared successes,” said Nick Ephgrave, Director of the Serious Fraud Office.
“We will work together to thoroughly explore all possible avenues in investigating these serious allegations,” he added.
The SFO did not provide specific details about the allegations. However, it was reported that police in France, the Netherlands, and Spain conducted searches of the company’s offices in June due to suspected corruption related to the export of weapons abroad.
Thales is a key defense contractor, with much of its production being directed to Ukraine.
