IAAC searches Tavan Tolgoi Railway executives over illegal coal shipping suspicion
Following recent allegations of coal theft, the joint working group of the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) and the General Police Department started investigating a case involving illegal or unregistered coal mining and exports.
In connection with this, the joint working group searched 24 offices and interrogated 33 people. More specifically, the police searched the office of the executives of Tavan Tolgoi Railway JSC, located in the Union Building in Sukhbaatar District, and seized the relevant financial and cooperation agreements and documents on Wednesday night. Several sources have confirmed that the office and houses of associated officials are being searched as part of this operation.
Media and Public Relations Officer of IAAC N.Temuulen reported on November 17, “We are investigating Executive Director of Tavan Tolgoi Railway JSC N.Udaanjargal for illicit enrichment. Also, IAAC carried out certain operations in accordance with the law regarding the problems related to the construction of the Bogd Khan Railway. N.Udaanjargal is currently abroad. However, the investigation must continue even if he is staying abroad. As part of the investigation, the evidence will be collected and action will be taken. Certain pieces of evidence were seized. Now, the inspection will be carried.”
The government has launched a task force to investigate companies extracting coal from the Tavan Tolgoi mine on the suspicion of exporting a large number of minerals without reporting to the customs authority.
Earlier, Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs Kh.Nyambaatar informed that the investigation of this coal-related case involving multiple people will be completed soon and transferred to the court.
He said, “People who watch the mass media should stay alert. Somebody involved may be left uninvestigated. The process of transferring this case to court is being completed.”
In addition, the police and IAAC suspect that some trucks may have carried coal across the border without permission. When comparing the state registration of vehicles crossing the border, there were a total of 22,664 vehicle registration discrepancies, they reported.