TeliaSonera says submits documents in Uzbek deal probe
STOCKHOLM, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Operator TeliaSonerasaid on Tuesday it had supplied Swedish prosecutors withevidence that the Gibralter-based firm Takilant, from which itbought telecom licenses in Uzbekistan, was the rightful owner ofthese licenses.
"Following media reports that there is uncertaintysurrounding the ownership of the assets TeliaSonera acquiredfrom Takilant in 2007, TeliaSonera has today provided theprosecutor with documents which confirm that Takilant owned thelicenses and frequencies at the time of the acquisition," thecompany said in a statement.
Prosecutors have frozen a Swedish Takilant account as partof a preliminary investigation into TeliaSonera's purchase aftera Swedish television programme alleged the company had boughtthe license from a firm with close ties to the daughter of UzbekPresident Islam Karimov.
TeliaSonera, partially owned by the Swedish state, hasdenied it did anything wrong and has said it is co-operatingfully with authorities.
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Keywords: TELIASONERA UZBEKISTAN/