Easier to convict more persons of bribery
On 26 January 2012, the Swedish government decided to submit a proposal for a reformed bribery legislation to the Legal Council for scrutiny. The proposal includes the following
– It shall be possible to convict more persons than before of having given or received a bribe. This applies both to employees and to all types of commissionees, which will also be explained in a simple manner in the Act. Previously only certain categories of commissionees could be convicted of bribery.
– A special regulation is included so that a person may also be liable to a bribery prosecution if that person is a participant or official in a competition which is the subject of publicly arranged betting. In such cases, a person can be convicted even if the recipient cannot be considered to be either employee or commissionee.
– In addition, trading with influence will become a punishable crime. This includes situations where somebody in a close relationship with a decision-maker accepts a bride to influence him or her in their decision-making.
– Finally, according to a new regulation, it shall be possible to convict a person of the negligent financing of bribery.
In summary, the proposal leads to a clearer regulation than before and thus creates the conditions for a more efficient combatting of crime in this sector.
It is proposed that the new regulations shall come into force on 1 July 2012.
For further information, contact Foyen’s environmental law department.
