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Deutsche Telekom head Rene Obermann in bribery probe Deutsche Telekom head Rene Obermann in bribery probe
(40 minutes later)
Deutsche Telekom has said its chief executive, Rene Obermann, is being investigated by German prosecutors regarding bribery allegations.Deutsche Telekom has said its chief executive, Rene Obermann, is being investigated by German prosecutors regarding bribery allegations.
The investigation is part of an inquiry looking at allegations that some of the company's eastern European businesses paid bribes to influence regulators.The investigation is part of an inquiry looking at allegations that some of the company's eastern European businesses paid bribes to influence regulators.
"The CEO [Rene Obermann] has rejected the criminal allegations made against him as false", Deutsche Telekom said. "The CEO [Rene Obermann] has rejected the criminal allegations made against him as false," Deutsche Telekom said.
Eight people, including non-Telekom workers, are being investigated.Eight people, including non-Telekom workers, are being investigated.
Deutsche Telekom said the investigation into the eight came in response to "a request for legal assistance from the US authorities in connection with suspected acts of bribery in Macedonia and Montenegro". The German company said its chief executive had been accused of approving dividend payments to a Macedonian telecoms firm on condition that the country's telecommunications market was not opened up to other competitors.
It was alleged to have taken place at a meeting in 2005 between Mr Obermann and the chief executive of Makedonski Telekom (MakTel), a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary.
"The public prosecutor's office is linking this to alleged bribery payments made by third parties," a company statement said.
Deutsche Telekom said the investigation into the eight people came in response to "a request for legal assistance from the US authorities in connection with suspected acts of bribery in Macedonia and Montenegro".
The company added that it had fully co-operated with the US investigation, which has been underway for four years, and that Mr Obermann had assisted as a witness in 2009.The company added that it had fully co-operated with the US investigation, which has been underway for four years, and that Mr Obermann had assisted as a witness in 2009.
"No allegations have been made against the CEO personally at any stage of the US investigation," Deutsche Telekom said."No allegations have been made against the CEO personally at any stage of the US investigation," Deutsche Telekom said.