Canadian accused of bribing Indian official

An Ottawa man is facing a corruption charge tied to allegations that representatives of a Canadian company tried to bribe an Indian government official.

Nazir Karigar, 63, a Canadian citizen, was scheduled to appear in court in Ottawa Wednesday on a charge laid under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, said an RCMP police news release.

The act governs Canada's obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which the government ratified in 2007.

The RCMP's A Division received a report on June 1, 2007, that representatives of a Canadian company paid an Indian government official in order to "facilitate" a multi-million contract to supply a security system.

Karigar was arrested on May 27 in Ottawa and charged the next day.

Sgt. Stéphane Turgeon said police are not disclosing the name of Karigar's company, as it is still under investigation and other charges could be laid in the case.

He added that this is believed to be the second time a Canadian has been charged under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.