Alstom Directors Arrested in Corruption Case

28 March 2010 (Last Updated March 28th, 2010 18:30)

Three Alstom directors have been arrested for corruption after an investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The French transport and infrastructure group has been accused of paying bribes to win overseas contracts. The SFO raided Alstom offices in Ashby de la Zouch

Three Alstom directors have been arrested for corruption after an investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

The French transport and infrastructure group has been accused of paying bribes to win overseas contracts.

The SFO raided Alstom offices in Ashby de la Zouch and Rugby on 24 March, according to news.bbc.co.uk.

Alstom is also alleged to have paid $6.8m (£4.5m) to win a $45m contract to expand Brazil's underground network.

Alstom is an engineering firm that produces high-speed trains, trams and power stations.

The company's sales for nine months to 31 December 2009 stood at €14.4bn (£12.9bn).