Serious Fraud Office has charged 56-year-old Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, a former Austrian agent for British defence contractor BAE Systems, for bribing Eastern European countries to purchase Gripen fighter jets.

As per the Serious Fraud Office, Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly bribed the government officials of Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic to bag contracts for Gripen fighter planes.

It may be noted here that BAE Systems has also been face corruption charges for its alleged involvement in corrupt practices Tanzania and South Africa.

Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, who was appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court for acting corruptly between 2002 and 2008, is married to Maria Rauch-Kallat, the former Austrian health minister.

When contacted, the British weapons manufacturer BAE Systems said, "Now that proceedings have commenced in this matter, the company is unable to comment and it would be inappropriate to do so.”

Although, no charges have yet been brought against BAE systems or any of its workers, yet the British weapons manufacturer has indicated that it would be willing to plead guilty and pay fines to settle corruption cases.