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Ex-telecom execs acquitted of corruption by Swedish court

COPENHAGEN — A Sweden court has acquitted three former executives of telecoms company Telia of corruption charges involving contracts in Uzbekistan, citing lack of evidence.

The charges related to alleged bribery during 2007-2010 in connection with an Uzbek partner when Telia, then known as TeliaSonera, set up business in the country. Telia Company AB also faced a forfeiture claim worth $208.5 million.

Judge Tomas Zander of the Stockholm District Court said Friday said “it has not been proven that (former Uzbek president Islam Karimov’s daughter) Gulnara Karimova held any such position with connection to the telecom sector, which has been the prosecutor’s main argument.”

The defendants included Lars Nyberg, CEO of the company at the time.

The Associated Press