In what reads like a scene out of Robert Ludlum\u2019s Bourne Trilogy, TurkCell has accused SA mobile operator MTN Group (MTN) of using a number of secret code-words in its attempts to bribe the Iranian government to obtain a mobile phone license in that country.<\/p>\n
On March 28, the Turkish-based telecoms firm filed a complaint in US 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 claims 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
It said that MTN paid Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Javid Ghorbanoghli, $400,000 in US dollars for his efforts to politically undermine and destroy TurkCell’s position as the license-holder, and to deliver the license to MTN.<\/p>\n
It added that, in June 2005, MTN promised, and later paid, the South African Ambassador to Iran, Yusuf Saloojee, the equivalent of US $200,000 to help MTN deliver on the nuclear vote and weapons trafficking, and to support MTN within the Iranian government.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmbassador Saloojee was integral to MTN’s ultimate success in securing the License,\u201d TurkCell said.<\/p>\n
“Project Snooker” and “The Fish”<\/strong><\/p>\n Within the text of complaint, TurkCell alleges that MTN went so far as to create a code name for its corrupt scheme -“Project Snooker.”<\/p>\n \u201cBetween February 2004 and November 2005, MTN Group worked feverishly to “snooker” its business competitor through these corrupt arrangements.\u201d<\/p>\n In another part of the document filed to the court, under the title: ‘MTN Develops the Plot to “Snooker” TurkCell’, the firm said:<\/p>\n \u201cUsing its gathered information, MTN created a scheme to displace TurkCell as the license holder by leveraging political tensions in Iran, and taking advantage of its political connections within South Africa and Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n TurkCell also claims that “The Fish” became a code-term used between MTN and the Iranian Ministry of Defense to represent the military equipment MTN promised it would deliver to Iran.<\/p>\n The court papers said that MTN executives – Ms. Charnley, Mr. Nhleko, Minister Lekota, and Ambassador Saloojee – met with members from the Iranian Ministry of Defense, including the Minister of Defense Ali Shamkhani.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether they promised the Minister of Defense that South Africa would deliver “heaven, earth, and the fish,” meaning whatever military equipment he desired.\u201d<\/p>\n TurkCell noted that after Minister Lekota departed Iran, Dr. Mahmoudzadeh drafted a list of specific items which constituted “The Fish”.<\/p>\n The Fish included:<\/p>\n Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n Why TurkCell is filing MTN lawsuit in the US<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Former MTN CEO denies Iranian bribery allegations<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n