A rumor has spread among Czech politicians and lobbyists that the investigation into former minister of defense Martin Barták (Civic Democrats – ODS) in connection with Czech army orders worth Kč 2.7 billion is to be transferred from prosecution service of the Ostrava region to Prague on Friday. According to the rumors, the Prague prosecution service is to ensure that the investigation into the purchases be dropped.
Czech Position asked Ostrava region public prosecutor Dušan Táborský, who is overseeing the investigation, if there’s any truth behind the rumors. “We’re in the verification stage. We’re studying the documental evidence and questioning the persons ‘If this is not the case, you can come and club me with a spade.’implicated,” Táborský said, adding that he hasn’t heard anything about the investigation being moved.
“No fundamental decision on the Barták case will be taken on Friday. Call back in two weeks. If this is not the case, you can come and club me with a spade,” Táborský added in jest.
Barták is under investigation following allegations by William J. Cabannis, a former US ambassador to the Czech Republic, that the Czech official solicited a bribe from him at a diplomatic event in February 2008 after Cabannis had left his diplomatic posting and become chairman of Tatra’s supervisory board.
Tatra won the Kč 2.7 billion supply contract during Barták’s tenure at the Ministry of Defense and was experiencing difficulties with a subcontractor at the time of the alleged incident. Duncan Sellars, an ex-diplomat and president of Tatra’s US branch, says Barták promised to make those problems disappear.
Sellars claims Barták specifically asked for several million dollars. Barták is currently suspended from his post as deputy finance minister.
Click here to read Czech Position’s previous stories about the Barták case
