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New charges in SFO’s Unaoil investigation in relation to US$733 million contract

22 May, 2018 | News Releases

The Serious Fraud Office has brought further charges against two individuals facing trial in relation to the Unaoil investigation.

Basil Al Jarah and Ziad Akle have both been charged with conspiracy to give corrupt payments to secure the award of a contract worth US$733 million to Leighton Contractors Singapore PTE Ltd for a project to build two oil pipelines in southern Iraq.

  • Basil Al Jarah was charged on 15 May 2018 with two offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, contrary to section (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
  • Ziad Akle was charged on 16 May 2018 with one offence of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, contrary to section (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Basil Al Jarah and Ziad Akle will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 23 May 2018.

The SFO would like to thank the Australian Federal Police for the assistance it provided in connection with our investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

Notes to editors:

  1. The SFO opened its investigation into Unaoil in March 2016.
  2. Basil Al Jarah (68) was Unaoil’s Iraq partner and resides in Hull.
  3. Ziad Akle (43) was Unaoil’s territory manager for Iraq and resides in London.
  4. Basil Al Jarah is represented by Brown Rudnick.
  5. Ziad Akle is represented by White & Case.
  6. Details of other charges in relation to this investigation can be found here.
  7. The strict liability rule in the Contempt of Court Act 1981 applies.