Wärtsilä’s subsidiary Wärtsilä Finland and one of its employees were found not guilty in the so-called Gotland bribery case. The Supreme Court did not grant the state prosecutor leave to appeal, thereby leaving the decision by the Vaasa Court of Appeal on 5 July 2006 in force. In connection with ship deals made in 1999 and 2000, Wärtsilä paid an owner’s commission to an account proposed by a representative of Gotland Rederiet. Both the District Court of Vaasa and the Vaasa Court of Appeal confirmed that this did not constitute bribery, as was presented in the indictment. It was proven in court that this was general practice for paying owner commissions in the industry.
For further information, please contact Kari Hietanen, Group Vice President, Legal Affairs and HR, tel. +358 40 754 4363.
