Turkish mobile operator Turkcell has told a United States court it is dropping its US$4.2 billion lawsuit against MTN Group after a Supreme Court ruling last week.
Turkcell had claimed MTN used bribes and political peddling to secure an operating licence in Iran in March 2012 – accusations MTN has always denied.
HumanIPO reported last week the Supreme Court had dealt a blow to Turkcell’s chances by ruling US courts were unable to hear human rights cases brought by foreign plaintiffs for conduct committed outside of the United States.
The original claims by Turkcell also alleged MTN encouraged the South African government to back Iran’s nuclear power programme and supported them in the supply of military equipment to Iran.
Both MTN and the South African government also denied those accusations.
MTN have yet to comment since reports emerged Turkcell had dropped the case.
