Swedish prosecutor calls for US legal scrutiny of Volvo and Scania

The truck producer Scania CV AB paid at least USD 5 million in kickbacks to the Saddam Hussein regime in connection with the UN Oil for Food Programme, the Swedish Prosecutor has told US authorities. The prosecutor wants to know whether an investigation of the Swedish firm will be launched in the United States.

In a parallel Swedish police enquiry of kickbacks to the former Iraqi regime, two charged Volvo officials deny knowledge of such illegalities. Sweden wants US authorities to clarify whether Volvo, another truck supplier, is violating an agreement with US authorities, according to which the Swedish truck producer pledged full cooperation with investigators.