CBI detains Oz construction manager for taking bribes to build Afghan hospital

Melbourne, Oct 15 (ANI): An Australian construction manager has been detained in India for allegedly taking a 190,000 dollar bribe to allow a subcontractor to build a hospital and college in Afghanistan.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents arrested Neil P Campbell in New Delhi on Wednesday. He now faces extradition from India to the United States.

Campbell was indicted on August 19 by a federal grand jury in Washington, DC, on the charge of receiving a bribe while working for an organisation receiving US government funds, a US Department of Justice statement said on Wednesday.

"This arrest serves as a strong warning to all who defraud the US in Afghanistan that they will be found and held accountable, regardless of citizenship," said Arnold Fields, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said an Australian man was detained Wednesday on arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the Daily telegraph reports.

The department could not confirm it was Campbell because of Australian privacy laws.

The maximum penalty for bribery is 10 years in prison and 250,000 dollars fine. (ANI)