Copyright: M&C/Deutsche Presse, 31st December, 2012

Soldiers and security officers have taken to the streets to demand accountability for their commanders’ alleged corruption in the Yemeni cities of Taiz and Sana’a. These soldiers allege that senior officials were also complicit in the killings of former president Saleh’s opponents. “These people must leave their positions because they represent injustice and terror instead of security and peace,” the article quotes a soldier as saying. The opposition has called these protests against security leadership a “revolution of institutions” against loyalists of Saleh.

Read full article: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1683408.php/Yemen-soldiers-demand-sacking-of-commanders-allege-corruption

Copyright: Egypt Independent, 24th December, 2012

The Egyptian Armed Forces currently own between 25 and 40 per cent of the national economy, including the production of “pasta, mineral water, butane gas cylinders and gas station services.” These economic activities are civilian in nature, yet they are classified as military secrets—it is considered a crime of high treason to even discuss these enterprises in public, according to the article. This exposé of the Armed Forces’ economic control gives insight into the history of this system and the corruption that underpins it, the failings of the military establishment as business leaders, and the negative impact on its workers and the Egyptian population.

Read full article: http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/566416

Copyright: Dutch News, 14th December, 2012

The defence ministry is investigating possible fraud by the civilian head of its 6,000 strong fleet of vehicles. According to the Telegraaf newspaper, the man, known as Jacques H, is said to have spent years driving around in luxury cars which he did not pay for. The man was allegedly allowed to buy cars at large discounts but did not pay the bills, a whistle-blower has told defence officials.

Read full article: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2011/12/defence_ministry_accuses_car_f.php

Copyright: Jakarta Globe, 13th December, 2012

On December 13, Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa replaced Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. as 43rd chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Dellosa has said that he will continue his predecessor’s efforts against military corruption, and that recent development in South China Sea has made modernisation of the country’s external defence capabilities a necessity. The 125,000-member Philippines military is currently one of the weakest in Asia and struggles to modernise its air force and navy due to lack of funds.

Read full article: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/changing-of-the-guard-for-philippine-church-and-military/484315

Copyright: Reuters, 13th December, 2012

Cuba has detained top executives of the powerful military-run Tecnotex company, broadening a corruption investigation that has already shuttered three foreign firms. Tecnotex is one of the most important trading companies on the Communist-run island, purchasing equipment, technology, construction materials and other goods for a myriad of military-owned firms in the civilian sector of the economy.

Read full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/us-cuba-corruption-idUSTRE7BC1P220111213

Copyright: The Hindu, 8th December, 2012

Defence Minister A.K. Antony has ordered the Army to begin an internal investigation based on The Hindu's revelation that alleged corruption in the procurement of over USD 10,000 worth of equipment had compromised its ability to use satellite images of enemy troop movements and assets

Read full article: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2698901.ece

Copyright: Prague Daily Monitor, 8th December, 2012

Former Czech Defence Minister, Maryin Bartak, has been accused of fraud and bribe taking in relation with the 2006 purchase of Tatra trucks for the Czech Army. The second man prosecuted is his acquaintance, MPI Group armament company owner Michal Smrz. Bartak and Smrz are prosecuted for demanding USD 5 million from the Tatra company in exchange for ensuring the smooth conduct of the contact. Meanwhile, a new procurement law has been passed in the lower house of the Czech Parliament which aims at reducing corruption by lowering the thresholds for tenders for any procurement deals by central and local government bodies, and ordering the publication of owners of companies in tenders and their suppliers.

Read full article: http://praguemonitor.com/2011/12/08/ex-defense-min-accuses-former-interior-min-fabricating-tatra-case

Copyright: Cash & Advances, 6th December, 2012

Defence contractor Yow Wah alias Richard has been jailed for giving bribes to an army captain in return of classified information related to military projects in the Singapore Armed Forces. Richard, who handles the executive of Certified Aerospace Singapore, has been jailed for up to eight weeks for giving bribes in the form of money loans to army captain Phua Poh Sim.

Read full article: http://cash-and-advance.com/cash-and-advances/cash-loans-defence-contractor-jailed-for-bribing-army-captain/

Copyright: Reuters TrustLaw, 1st December, 2012

The Italian aerospace defence group Finmeccanica has been placed under scrutiny after their corruption scandal broke out last November. The chairman of the defence group, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, has denied any involvement in creating slush funds or making irregular payments. Following Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s call on prompt actions against the widening corruption scandal, Finmeccanica’s chief executive Giuseppe Orsi has been appointed as a new chairman in the place of Guarguaglini, who had initially declined the calls for his resignation.

Read full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/italy-finmeccanica-idUSL5E7N15BH20111201

Copyright: Huffington Post, 30th November, 2012

BAE Systems’ history of corruption accusations suffered another setback when it admitted "improper book-keeping" regarding payments made to an ‘adviser’ on the sale of an air traffic control system to Tanzania, which were allegedly used to bribe officials and secure contracts. While the company was not found guilty of corruption offences, in December 2010 it committed to a £29.5 million (USD 46.7 million) settlement payment into the country’s education budget to end the investigation into the deal. However, the payment has been dragged on until now. “The long saga of allegations about corruption involving BAE Systems has been a national embarrassment to both the UK and Tanzania, and it is astonishing that no individual has yet been found guilty despite the company having to pay fines and reparations of USD 450 million for Tanzania and other cases,” said Chandu Krishnan, Executive Director at Transparency International UK, which made a submission to the committee's report.

Read full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/11/29/bae-systems-tanzania-corruption_n_1118899.html

Copyright: CNN, 29th November, 2012

In an effort to purge its national police force of corruption, the Honduran Congress voted to empower its military to carry out most police duties for at least 18 months. This will give the military a broad mandate over day-to-day crime fighting in the country, and gives the armed forces additional powers against organised crime. "We cannot have armed forces only for foreign threats when there are so many deaths in the country because of violence," Juan Orlando Hernandez, president of the Congress, said before the vote. "We are making this decision to support the Honduran people."

Read full article: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/30/world/americas/honduras-military/index.html?eref=edition_americas&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_americas+%28RSS%3A+Americas

Copyright: BBC, 23rd November, 2012

Described as the biggest obstacle to democracy since the ending of apartheid in 1994, the ‘Secrecy Bill’ was passed by Cape Town’s parliament on 22 November 2011, followed by massive protests. In the current bill, there are harsh sentences of up to 25 years for anyone possessing classified government information. Disturbingly, there is an absence of a public interest clause, providing a defence for journalists publishing materials exposing government or corruption. Amid allegations that the bill has been introduced following an arms deal probe, in an increasingly corrupt government, Mandela’s promise that press freedom in South Africa would never be curbed with the ANC as the majority party, is severely threatened. However, fortunately for the opposition of the Bill, it is yet to go through the Upper House, and can be challenged at the Constitutional Court before becoming a law.

Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15860557

Copyright: All Africa, 21st November, 2012

The National Democratic Congress (NDC)-led government in Ghana has requested parliamentary approval for 4 MI-171 SH Helicopters, which will cost an estimated EUR 64 million (USD 84 million). Given this is the second request in 2011 for new aircraft for military operations in a hard-hit economy, with workers demanding wage increases, the proposal has been criticised over corruption allegations.

Read full article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201111211742.html

Copyright: Malaysiakini, 19th November, 2012

Corruption in the defence sector is said to threaten the life and wellbeing of soldiers in the Malaysian Army. In an interview for Malaysiakini, three army officers report of corruption in the defence sector which has resulted in military recommendations to purchase sub-par equipment which put lives at stake. Defence companies are also said to share the blame due to improper equipment being sold (i.e. equipment purchased for the Scorpene submarines which did not fit the specifications of the vessel).

Read full article: http://www.ti-defence.org/publications/978-external--%27ex-military-men-say-graft-risks-lives-of-soldiers%27

Copyright: Strategy Page, 5th November, 2012

Senior officials of the North Korean secret police were arrested in November under suspicion of taking bribes in order to enable people to escape to China. According to the article, National Security Agency (NSA) officials have been believed to be “approachable” for many years now. The arrests have been conducted under the military intelligence operation which has been carrying out scrutiny over NSA officials for the past six months.

Read full article: http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/korea/articles/20111105.aspx

Copyright: Reuters TrustLaw, 4th November, 2012

A U.S. government bribery probe of Embraer is unlikely to hamper the Brazilian planemaker's bidding for U.S. defence contracts, Chief Executive Officer Frederico Curado said last November. Curado declined to discuss the implications of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's investigation of Embraer for a possible violation of the FCPA, but said on a conference call that he was "confident that it won't prevent us from participating in any bidding process."

Read full article: http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/us-probe-unlikely-to-hurt-embraer-bidding--ceo

Copyright: BBC, 12th April, 2012

The Indian military has begun investigations after the Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh disclosed that he was offered a bribe of USD 2.7 million by a defence lobbyist. According to the General, he was to receive this money if he approved the purchase of 600 ‘sub-standard’ vehicles. Defence Minister AK Antony, who has championed a strong transparency and anti-corruption stance, has said that the issue will be dealt with as a matter of priority.

Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17686302

Copyright: Financial Times (£), 11th April, 2012

Former Greek Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Akis Tsochatzopoulos was arrested for money laundering following a corruption investigation into the purchase of four German submarines, in a deal worth EUR 2.5 million agreed in 2000, when he was in office. Tsochatzopoulos is the first high-profile Greek politician to be arrested over corruption allegations. Although the former MOD denies any wrongdoing, last year Ferrostaal, the German company which built the submarines, agreed to pay a fine of EUR 140 million in a settlement involving two former employees connected with submarine purchases in Greece and Portugal.

Read full article: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b7469398-83e7-11e1-82ca-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sC0sNGRF

Copyright: Reuters, 10th April, 2012

Last October, around 500 Egyptian army officers began a protest at the Air Defence Institute. A major in the Army explained military ranks struggle like the rest of Egyptians: “Like Egyptian society, the wealth of the military is concentrated at the top and does not trickle down. You have to reach a specific rank before wealth is unlocked.” The protesting officers have demanded better salaries, treatment, conditions, training—and greater equality. Current leader Field Marshal Tantawi has met with the military units in an attempt to placate the officers; they have agreed to withhold further demands until the transition to civilian government is complete. The Egyptian Army is one of the largest in the Arab world; its senior leadership has a vast control of the Egyptian economy and politics, and have maintained this power since last year’s revolution despite a slow transition to civilian leadership.

Read full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/us-egypt-army-idUSBRE8390IV20120410?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Copyright: New York Times, 5th April, 2012

Arms trafficker Viktor Bout was sentenced to 25 years, convicted of “conspiring to kill American citizens, officers and employees by agreeing to sell weapons to informants from the Drug Enforcement Administration who he believed were members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a terrorist organization,” also known as FARC.

Read full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/nyregion/russian-arms-dealer-is-sentenced-to-25-years.html

Copyright: The Botswana Gazette, 4th April, 2012

Defence procurement has been a “thorny” issue for a long time in Botswana, according to this opinion piece. In 1995, although a parliamentarian requested information on a weaponry and trucks procurement from Holland and couldn’t get hold of the information because of national security concerns, the Dutch were discussing the issue openly in the media. This was over 20 years ago and the situation doesn’t appear to have improved. The article calls for parliamentarians to continue seeking for answers and improve their oversight of the sector, as this will be the only way to start curbing corruption.

Read full article: http://www.gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12978:security-procurement-secrecy-versus-transparency-&catid=21:columns&Itemid=2

Copyright: The Globe and Mail, 3rd April, 2012

Canada’s plans to buy 65 F-35 fighter jets, one of the most expensive military procurements in the country’s history, has been put on hold by the Auditor General. His report states that there was a lack of fair competition when the negotiations took place, and that there is uncertainty on either the cost or the guarantee that the new fighters could replace the current fleet by the end of the decade. He also exposed that key data was hidden from decision makers and parliamentarians during procurement planning.

Read full article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-scramble-to-save-face-over-fighter-jet-plan/article2391359/

Copyright: The Daily Star, 30th March, 2012

After three days of closed-door talks between representatives from Arab states and arms trade specialists regarding the UN Arms Trade Treaty, it appears that governments in the region still differ widely on their perspectives on the Treaty. “[M]uch work needs to be done and many compromises have to be struck before we can comfortably say we all agree on an arms trade treaty,” project manager Elli Kytomaki of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research stated. Topics of the talks included international arms transfer controls and illicit arms trafficking. The failure to find a common standing highlights the broad differences between states in the region in this regard. Gulf States are major purchasers of advanced weapons systems and import numbers are high throughout the region.

Read full article: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Mar-30/168476-arab-states-still-have-differences-over-arms-trade-treaty.ashx#axzz1qcIfa1Rt

Copyright: The Washington Post, 28th March, 2012

Four US Navy employees and three defence contractors could face up to 20 years in prison due to a corruption scheme in which the contractors won millions of dollars in military orders after offering officials massage chairs, bicycles, flat screen TVs, and other bribes. The special agent in charge of the investigation stressed that “corruption of this nature strikes at the heart of our national security and erodes public confidence”.

Read full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/navy-officials-contractors-plead-guilty-to-fraud-involving-1-million-in-bribes-in-calif/2012/03/28/gIQAfcQwgS_story.html

Copyright: Reuters TrustLaw, 27th March, 2012

U.S. federal prosecutors dismissed charges in a bribery sting involving three men who were accused of trying to bribe an undercover FBI agent, who was posing as the Minister of Gabon, for the supply of military equipment. The three men had already pleaded guilty for the offence.

Read full article: http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/us-drops-remaining-charges-in-arms-bribery-case/

Copyright: New Europe Online, 25th March, 2012

Meetings between German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov to discuss political and military cooperation between the two countries on NATO’s mission in Afghanistan have been criticised by German MPs who believe that the corrupt and repressive nature of the current regime in Uzbekistan should not be ignored. They have argued for demanding greater military transparency between the Germany and Uzbekistan, along with the curbing of human rights violations.

Read full article: http://www.neurope.eu/article/mps-slam-tashkent-berlin-defence-co-operation

Copyright: LA Times, 25th March, 2012

The Egyptian military runs a vast, multi-billion dollar business empire that accounts for between 10 and 40 per cent of the national economy. As the country begins to prepare for the handover of power to civilian government and a newly elected president in June, it remains to be seen how the military will act to protect its business interests and economic power. Many have suggested that the Army, foreseeing the elected government with a 70% Islamist majority, have entered into a quiet alliance of convenience with Islamist politicians, their former opponents. Its plans to maintain its economic dominance will be aided by the lack of oversight and transparency in the defence budget, legal protections for officers, and protections for its power in the new constitution—all things that the Army is currently pushing for.

Read full article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-military-20120325,0,6049014.story

Copyright: Reuters, 22nd March, 2012

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact, the UK Government watchdog on foreign aid budget, has said that the grip on Afghan aid programme should be strengthened in order to ensure transparency and accountability. Currently, the UK is the fourth-largest donor to Afghanistan, with about USD 282 million USD per year, but its compliance mechanisms need to be fortified in order to prevent fraud, corruption and waste of funds. The watchdog claims that the British government lacks sufficiently robust financial and performance monitoring systems in place to manage its programmes in Afghanistan.

Read full article: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/22/uk-britain-afghanistan-aid-idUKBRE82L00420120322

Copyright: Manila Times, 19th March, 2012

Philippine’s President Benigno Aquino warned graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) against giving in to the temptation to commit graft once they have left the institution, stressing that corruption is a far greater threat than armed groups that threaten democracy.

Read full article: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/editorials/19531-pma-grads-told-to-fight-corruption

Copyright: All Africa, 19th March, 2012

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has been rewarded close to USD 51,000 by multiple sources for refusing to be bribed. The officer rejected a bribe of around USD 3,200 from a politician to help influence results during the country’s state elections in 2011.

Read full article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203200329.html