The body responsible for combating financial crime in the United Kingdom has dropped the prosecution and dismissed a corruption investigation against the tobacco company British American Tobacco (BAT), according to press releases on Friday.
Read also: BAT: investigation for corruption in Africa
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) unveiled in August 2017 this investigation into the practices of British American Tobacco, known for the brands Lucky Strike, Dunhill, Kent and Rothmans.
The group said at the time that it focused on activities in Africa.
"
BAT is satisfied that the SFO has closed its investigation and is not going any further in this affair,
" according to a brief statement from the tobacco company on Friday.
He added that he adopts "
the highest standards
" in the conduct of his business.
In a separate statement, the SFO admitted that it did not have sufficient evidence to initiate proceedings against the group.
Read also: Menthol cigarettes: several manufacturers suspected of circumventing the ban on selling them
The case erupted in November 2015 when the BBC aired a report accusing BAT of paying bribes to tobacco control officials in East Africa.
Two people linked to the Framework Convention of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the fight against tobacco (CCLAT) would be affected by these payments, then explained the BBC.
A third would be a former member of this framework convention.
The British tobacco company at the time denied these accusations.