TeliaSonera has fired four senior managers — including its CFO — as the fallout continues from an external review of the Nordic operator group’s investments in Uzbekistan.

In February CEO Lars Nyberg resigned after a review of the company’s investments in Uzbekistan criticised how it obtained a 3G mobile licence in 2007 (allegations of bribery were a major focus of the review).

In a new statement today, the operator noted that the review is ongoing and, “on the basis of the information and conclusions to date, it is evident to TeliaSonera’s Board and [present] CEO that the processes for conducting some transactions have not been in line with sound business practices. As a consequence four individuals will now leave the company”.

The statement did not reveal the identities of the four staff, but a separate brief statement today announced that “TeliaSonera’s executive VP and CFO Per-Arne Blomquist will leave his position effective immediately. Christian Luiga, currently head of CEO office, will assume the position as acting chief financial officer”.

“Together with the Board I have come to the conclusion that the way some transactions in the past were managed does not live up to the high standards of business ethics and transparency that TeliaSonera wants to stand for,” noted Nyberg’s successor as CEO, Johan Dennelind.

TeliaSonera said its decision has been taken following advice from international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright and Swedish law firm Mannheimer Swartling.

“The Board’s conclusion is that some senior employees no longer have the trust of the Board,” said Marie Ehrling, chairman of the Board. “Therefore they have been notified that their employment with TeliaSonera will be terminated and they will leave their position effective immediately. It is not the Board’s task to assess the legal aspects, but we have decided to hand over the material from the Norton Rose Fulbright review to the Prosecutor’s office as part of our continuous dialogue.”

Ehrling added that Dennelind has “already taken important measures to strengthen governance and compliance in TeliaSonera. The board will with all possible means support and facilitate this important work”.