TeliaSonera replaces mobile chief amid graft claims

Swedish-Finnish telecom operator TeliaSonera said on Thursday it was replacing the head of its mobile services unit over his role in the group's controversial investments in Uzbekistan. "Tero Kivisaari's role in TeliaSonera’s criticised investments in Uzbekistan ... has made it impossible for him to act with the internal and external authority necessary," chief executive Johan Dennelind said in a statement. "The investments in Uzbekistan were carried out in a way not compliant with the business practices TeliaSonera wants to stand for," he added. The group named Sverker Hannervall acting president of its mobility services operation, while Kivisaari will take on "other duties" at the company. Hannervall will remain TeliaSonera's head of business services. The Swedish prosecution authority last year launched a corruption probe into TeliaSonera's licence acquisition in Uzbekistan in September 2012. An external probe ordered by the company found no evidence to support claims that it bribed a woman with ties to the central Asian country's government to obtain a 3G licence in 2007.