NATO has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption, announcing new measures to strengthen oversight following an investigation into alleged misconduct at its procurement body.
‘NATO has no tolerance for fraud or corruption,’ spokesperson Allison Hart said in a statement to Anadolu. She noted that the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) had created its own investigative branch in 2023, a year after the alliance adopted a NATO-wide strategy to prevent, detect, and respond to corruption.
Hart said the NSPA had ‘proactively initiated cooperation with national law enforcement agencies’ and continues to support ongoing probes into suspected criminal activity involving current and former staff.
According to NATO, Secretary General Mark Rutte received a formal request from the Belgian Federal Prosecutor on 12 May to lift the functional immunity of three NSPA staff members. The request was granted the same day.
Rutte and the NSPA’s general manager have since launched a joint investigative task force between NATO headquarters and the agency to expand investigative capacity and address any possible fraud involving agency personnel or contractors.
The move follows the arrest of three Belgian nationals in connection with an alleged corruption scheme at the NSPA, which is based in Capellen, Luxembourg, and manages multi-billion-euro defence contracts for NATO member states.
According to Belgian media reports, the arrests in May are linked to one of three corruption cases uncovered at the agency over the past year. The suspects are accused of leaking confidential information to defence firms bidding for NATO contracts covering aircraft, helicopters, ammunition, and fuel between 2021 and 2025.
Investigative journalist Kristof Clerix, who helped reveal the story, said the inquiry centres on whether consultancy firms advising defence companies obtained insider information, undermining fair competition.
Belgian prosecutors said one suspect remains in custody, another is under electronic surveillance, and a third has been released on conditional bail.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 bi...
The President Cup 2026 continued with a dynamic programme, as the second day marked the official start of the international regatta....
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.&nbs...
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelli...
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing ...
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelling debate over influence, trust, and politics.
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing the youth tournament to the South Caucasus for the second consecutive edition after the 2027 event.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
Reversing a decade of restrictions, New South Wales has opened new areas for gas exploration in its remote west. The move reflects growing concern over future energy supply across Australia’s east coast.
Travel demand across China is expected to remain robust during the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday starting 1 May.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 29th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, has said the situation is “under control” in his first public remarks since a wave of coordinated attacks shook the country last weekend.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment