Court confines three suspects of OT bribery allegation

Criminal Court of Chingeltei District has ruled a decision to confine ex-finance minister Bayartsogt Sangajav, former Head of General Department of Taxation Ariunsan Baldanjav and former CEO of Erdenes Mongol LLC Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal for 30 days. Mr Bayartsogt’s lawyer met with the press yesterday and informed that the court is accusing them for an involvement in an organized crime and abuse of power. Former Minister of Finance Bayartsogt’s lawyer Orkhon Ganbaatar said “The prosecutor suggested to confine Bayartsogt for extra 30 days, which we did not approve. Unfortunately, the court ruled to prolong his confinement. It should have been restricted to a person's liberty to be limited to certain grounds provided by the Criminal Procedure Law.

From the beginning, Mr Bayartsogt cooperated with the investigation. There should have been no reason to escape as he never avoided the law enforcement while he held no office and was studying in the United States. I disagree and complain that the court’s decision was not justifiable.” On April 1, the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) arrested the three former government officials as suspects of an alleged bribery case related to Oyu Tolgoi investment agreement. Consequently, General Prosecutor’s Office of Mongolia detained them on the following day, and summoned the ex-Prime Minister Saikhanbileg Chimed for an inquiry. The IAAC informed that the former Prime Minister is currently in the United States; thus, the interrogation will 

proceed as soon as he returns. In addition, the working group responsible for review the Investment Agreement of Oyu Tolgoi convened on Monday. The working group was established under the ordinance of Parliament Speaker Enkhbold Miyegombo after several political parties have demanded the Speaker to investigate the contract and people involved in it. During the meeting, a decision was reached to install five subgroups to provide professional and methodological assistance. The working group is expected to review the Oyu Tolgoi investment agreement within two months and submit the results to the Parliament.