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LONDON — Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said on Sunday it had opened a criminal probe into Airbus Group, investigating allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption.
"These allegations relate to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the SFO said in a statement.
The authority said it opened the investigation in July and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.
A spokesperson for the SFO said additional details of the probe would not be made public until charges were brought or the investigation is dropped.
European planemaker Airbus said it was aware of the probe and the aviation firm was working with investigators.
"Airbus Group has been informed by the SFO that it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in the civil aviation business of Airbus Group relating to irregularities concerning third party consultants," the company said in a statement.
"Airbus Group continues to cooperate with the SFO," the statement concluded.
The company was informed on Friday that the authority had launched an investigation, an Airbus spokesman said.
"We ourselves detected this issue and self-disclosed it to the authorities.
"This is as an effort of our enhanced anti-corruption (policy). Management has taken robust action and is determined to resolve this issue in cooperation with the authorities," spokesman Jeremy Greaves said. — AFP
