Turkcell may look to settle out of court with South African mobile operator MTN, over bribery allegations to secure a mobile license in Iran, an analyst has told BusinessTech.<\/p>\n
Shares in MTN gained R3.78 or 2.57%, to R150.93, in afternoon trade on the JSE.<\/p>\n
On March 28, the Turkish-based telecoms firm filed a complaint in U.S. District Court of Columbia, Washington DC, against MTN Group, demanding $4.2 billion in damages over the award of the cellular licence in Iran in 2004.<\/p>\n
TurkCell claimed that MTN used political and monetary lures to enhance its relationships and leverage its position within Iran. \u201cMTN undertook to eliminate Turkcell and take over [the license for itself], by bribing the Iranian government with promises of nuclear votes, defense equipment, and outright cash payments,\u201d a portion of the complaint read.<\/p>\n
MTN owns 49% of\u00a0Irancell<\/a>, the group that was awarded the second Iranian GSM licence.<\/p>\n \u201cTurkcell wants to settle away from the courts,\u201d a local analyst told BusinessTech. However, he added that a lot of information had already come out of the dispute which has subsequently led to separate investigations in South Africa.<\/p>\n In June, elite crime-fighting unit the Hawks\u00a0confirmed that it will investigate the mobile operator relating to its license in Iran.<\/p>\n “At least by settling out of court, information would stop getting out from Turkcell\u2019s side,” the analyst said.<\/p>\n MTN could not be reached for comment.<\/p>\n On 3 July, MTN said it\u00a0filed a motion to have dismissed the case filed against it by Turkcell in a U.S. court.<\/p>\n Turkcell must respond to MTN\u2019s motion to dismiss by 1 August 2012, and MTN said it will reply to the Turkcell response by 15 August 2012.<\/p>\n The court\u2019s decision is expected later this year.<\/p>\n Related article<\/strong><\/p>\n MTN moves to have Turkcell claims dismissed<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n MTN-linked ambassador suspended<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SA Ambassador to be probed over MTN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n How MTN allegedly bribed its way into Iran<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n MTN CEO denies \u201ccover up\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Nhleko wades back into Irancell case<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Hawks swoop in on MTN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MTN denies intimidating former employee<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n