Transparency International's weekly newsletter and supplement to our Daily Corruption News, 9 June 2017

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Hi there,

Last week, we examined the shrinking space for civil society in many places around the world. While the news on this front is often challenging, there are always signs of hope.

This week protestors in Slovakia denounced corruption and demanded the resignation of the interior minister over his ties to an associate under investigation for tax fraud, in some of the largest demonstrations in the country in years.

A team of journalists from Al Jazeera won the One World Media award (sponsored by us) for a documentary exposing government corruption in the Maldives. They finished the film in spite of various attempts to impede their work, including police raids and death threats.

See below how our chapter in France has filed suit to end the lavish lifestyle of an alleged kleptocrat, bringing an international dimension to the pursuit of justice. And you can read our joint statement with other NGOs confronting Egypt's new anti-NGO law.

News from Transparency International

Image of Teodorin Obiang and impounded autos
 

Obiang trial looms large in France: can you help?

Remember Teodorin Obiang? The son of the long-serving President of Equatorial Guinea, who was then made Vice President, is suspected of spending US$224 million in Paris with stolen money. For a decade he lived a rock-star lifestyle, while 76 per cent of the population in his country lived in poverty. After 10 years of legal struggle, Transparency International France is trying to bring Obiang to justice – but we need your help! (En savoir plus)

 

Egypt: stop the onslaught against civil society

On Wednesday, we co-signed a joint statement calling on the Egyptian government to repeal Law 70 of 2017, which placed harsh new restrictions on the work of human rights defenders and other civil society groups. The statement was so-signed by 13 other NGOs, including Amnesty International, Article 19, CIVICUS and Front Line Defenders.

 

Corruption in the news this week

Focus on France

France: The French are demanding change in the face of corruption
Equal Times (9 June)

The first law that will be introduced under Emmanuel Macron, the new President of the French Republic, will be about ethics in public life. It shows just how much this issue struck a chord with public opinion during a particularly bitter presidential campaign.

 
France: French prosecutor opens investigation into Macron alliance partner
Reuters (9 June)

French President Emmanuel Macron's promise of clean politics suffered a setback on Friday when the Paris prosecutor opened an investigation into his alliance partner, the centrist Modem party, over allegations of misuse of public funds.

 

Latest revelations from audits and investigations

Germany: Germany fears huge losses in massive tax scandal
BBC (9 June)
 
Liberia: Corruption bombshell: President orders Maritime Head to return home
Front Page Africa (8 June)
 
Malaysia: Malaysian anti-graft body to probe corruption claims at Felda Global Ventures
Reuters (7 June)
 

Speaking too soon?

Nigeria: Corruption in Nigeria is ‘yesterday’s story,’ says minister ahead of U.S. summit
Newsweek (6 June)
 
Nigeria: Four Nigerians accused of corruption in Switzerland in fresh trouble in Nigeria
Premium Times (6 June)
 

Other news

Global: Corruption beyond Brazil: Where the ‘Car Wash’ scandal has splashed across Latin America
The Globe and Mail (7 June)
 
South Africa: Secretary to Parliament on leave until corruption claims probed
Eyewitness News (9 June)
 
Thailand: Customs department: Deep-rooted corruption
Bangkok Post (9 June)
 
USA: Comey bluntly raises possibility of Trump obstruction and condemns his ‘lies’
New York Times (8 June)
 
Zimbabwe: Govt admits ZRP corruption, scraps spot fines
New Zimbabwe (8 June)
 

Blogs and opinion

USA: Firms linked to foreign bribery have given advice on transit crisis
CityLimits (7 June)
 

Want to join the fight against corruption? Check out our job opportunities.

 

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