Mongolia to quiz Aussie mining lawyer on corruption - The Standard: "A Hong Kong-based female mining lawyer barred from leaving Mongolia is set to meet authorities in the country on Saturday.
Sarah Armstrong, the 32-year-old chief legal counsel to Rio Tinto subsidiary SouthGobi Resources, was blocked from boarding a flight last week from the capital Ulan Bator to Hong Kong. She has not be arrested and not been charged.
Officials want to question her as a witness to alleged corruption and money-laundering, AFP reports.
In March this year, Rio Tinto executive, Australian Stern Hu was jailed for seven years for bribery and five for stealing business secrets in China. He was also fined 1 million yuan. Three Chinese colleagues were also jailed. Hu headed the Shanghai office of the miner. He admitted taking bribes.
ABC Radio Australia reported yesterday that the attache of the Mongolian embassy in Canberra, Hantulga Galaazagraa, says Ms Armstrong is a witness in a case where SouthGobi is alleged to have not paid enough tax.
“Ms Sarah Armstrong was asked not to leave the country because she might be the witness to the case and she was thought to be the closest witness to this tax issue case," he said."
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