SECRETARY-GENERAL WAIVES LEGAL IMMUNITY OF STAFF MEMBER

 

UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR PROCUREMENT MISCONDUCT

 

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 1 November:

Sanjaya Bahel, a United Nations staff member, has been the subject of an internal fact-finding investigation into allegations of misconduct related to his procurement functions, conducted by the Organization’s Office of Internal Oversight Services.  He was formally charged with misconduct by the Organization on 31 August 2006 and has been suspended without pay since that time.  The United Nations provided its final report to the competent authorities of the United States and India.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York commenced its own investigation into the activities of Mr. Bahel.  The United Nations has been cooperating fully with the Office of the United States Attorney during the course of its investigation.  Today, the Secretary-General received a request from the United States authorities to waive Mr. Bahel’s immunity from legal process.  The Secretary-General confirms that he has waived Mr. Bahel’s immunity.

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For information media • not an official record