Executives deny Iraq pipeline bribery plot

Four company executives today (weds) denied bribing officials of the national Iraqi oil company for the rights to a £575 million ($733m) pipeline system. Basil Al Jarah, 69, the Iraq partner of Monaco-based firm Unaoil and Ziad Akle, 43, Unaoil’s territory manager for Iraq, allegedly made corrupt payments to the South Oil Company for the rights to build two pipelines. The pair are said to have paid the bribes to to secure the massive contract to Leighton Contractors Singapore PTE…