The arrest of Rio Tinto’s iron ore marketing head Stern Hu is related to a criminal probe, and is not part of an espionage investigation, Bloomberg reported, citing comments from Australia’s foreign minister. Stephen Smith said the investigation into Hu may lead to a decision to charge him in a criminal case. "If they do charge him, the precise details will be there for all to see," Smith said. In response to Chinese allegations that Hu and three other Rio Tinto executives had bribed Chinese mill officials, the company said that its employees "acted at all times with integrity and in accordance with Rio Tinto’s strict and publicly stated code of ethical behavior." Rio Tinto reportedly evacuated its China iron and steel research staff last week.