Police seek charges against former minister over CASA aircraft purchase

Police have recommended that criminal charges be lodged against a former minister and top Ministry of Defense official over the controversial purchase of a transport plane for the army. The special police squad for uncovering corruption and financial crime made its recommendation to Prague’s Supreme State Attorney over former TOP 09 minister of defence Vlasta Parkanová and former head of the ministry’s arms purchases division, Jiří Staněk. The case concerns the purchase of CASA transport aircraft and suspected overpayments and damages to the state amounting to around 820 million crowns. If found guilty, the former minister and official could face jail sentences of up to 10 years.

Author: Chris Johnstone