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A trial date of mid-2016 has been set in the long-running corruption case involving French engineering firm Alstom and a contract for the New Delhi Metro. At a plea and management hearing held at Southwark Crown Court in Central London it was decided that Phase 1 of the case — involving Alstom Network UK and two executives — will begin on May 23, 2016, with pre-trial hearings taking place through 2015.
At the hearing, in which four current or former Alstom executives were present, the Judge set a preparatory trial date of October this year, with additional hearings scheduled earlier, including on April 20. The October hearings may take place over two to three days.
Among those present were Robert Hallett, former MD of Alstom Transport India, and Graham Hill, both of whom face corruption charges, alongside Alstom Network UK — the division alleged to have made corruption payments relating to an engineering contract for the Delhi Metro, as well as in Poland and Tunisia.
The prosecution, acting on behalf of Britain’s Serious Fraud Office, against Alstom Network UK is Simon Farrell QC, while Alex Cameron QC is acting on behalf of Alstom Network UK.
The preparatory trial will include arguments for dismissal by the defence counsel and examine three main issues, including whether territoriality provisions as defined by 2002 anti-terror legislation would also apply to current anti-corruption legislation as well.
Notices issued
It will also cover issues relating to the jurisdiction of Tunisian courts and, finally, evidence relating to Bruno Kaelin, who has not yet volunteered to attend the hearings, and who remains in Switzerland. Bail has been extended for Hallett and Hill. The prosecution also said that it had issued notices to individuals in India last year for testimony that would feed into the prosecution case, and awaits these by July.
The trial involving Alstom is taking place in a number of phases – while Phase 1 involves the India, Poland and Tunisian charges, a separate company, Alstom Power Ltd, and two former employees, also face charges relating to contracts in Lithuania during Phase 2 for which a trial date is yet to be set.
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