Scandal engulfing Czech PM reads like spy thriller
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A MULTI-PRONGED scandal involving the prime minister's aide, his ex-wife, the military, former lawmakers and kilograms of gold raised unanswered questions yesterday about the troubled government of Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas.
Nobody outside the halls of Czech power seems to know what's going on or how the rapidly moving developments are connected, but a list reads like elements in a spy novel:
- The Czech military was spying on the prime minister's estranged wife.
- Millions of dollars and a stash of gold bars were seized by hooded police in 31 overnight raids nationwide.
- Seven people have been charged with abuse of power or corruption, according to prosecutors.
Czech police and prosecutors said yesterday that they believe Necas' closest aide ordered a military intelligence agency to illegally spy on three people, vastly overstepping her authority. Prosecutor Ivo Istvan said that Jana Nagyova, the head of the prime minister's office, has been charged with abuse of power and six others face charges of abuse of power and corruption.
The opposition is calling for Necas to stand down and for early elections to be held. He has refused their demands and so far still has the backing of his coalition partners.
Nagyova is suspected of directing the alleged illegal surveillance without any authorization, the prosecutor said.
The local CTK news agency quoted Nagyova's lawyer as saying that the alleged targets of the illegal spying included Necas' estranged wife. Her lawyer, Tomas Sokol, has not responded to requests for comment.
Necas announced earlier this week that he and his wife Radka filed for divorce. Tabloid newspapers have speculated about an affair between him and Nagyova. "I have no reason to think that she has committed anything illegal," Necas said about his aide.
Nobody outside the halls of Czech power seems to know what's going on or how the rapidly moving developments are connected, but a list reads like elements in a spy novel:
- The Czech military was spying on the prime minister's estranged wife.
- Millions of dollars and a stash of gold bars were seized by hooded police in 31 overnight raids nationwide.
- Seven people have been charged with abuse of power or corruption, according to prosecutors.
Czech police and prosecutors said yesterday that they believe Necas' closest aide ordered a military intelligence agency to illegally spy on three people, vastly overstepping her authority. Prosecutor Ivo Istvan said that Jana Nagyova, the head of the prime minister's office, has been charged with abuse of power and six others face charges of abuse of power and corruption.
The opposition is calling for Necas to stand down and for early elections to be held. He has refused their demands and so far still has the backing of his coalition partners.
Nagyova is suspected of directing the alleged illegal surveillance without any authorization, the prosecutor said.
The local CTK news agency quoted Nagyova's lawyer as saying that the alleged targets of the illegal spying included Necas' estranged wife. Her lawyer, Tomas Sokol, has not responded to requests for comment.
Necas announced earlier this week that he and his wife Radka filed for divorce. Tabloid newspapers have speculated about an affair between him and Nagyova. "I have no reason to think that she has committed anything illegal," Necas said about his aide.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
