Rittig loses appeal over “robber” apology though Zaorálek must apologise for property statement

Influential businessman Ivo Rittig has lost an appeal against a court ruling that the minister of foreign affairs, Lubomír Zaorálek, does not have to apologise to him for calling him a robber. Prague’s Supreme Court on Tuesday also rejected Mr. Rittig’s demand for financial compensation of CZK 100,000 from the minister. However, a previous ruling remains in place under which Mr. Zaorálek must apologise for linking Mr. Rittig to a large amount of cash and gold seized in a police raid last year. Mr. Rittig is under investigation over a case involving the supply of public transport tickets in Prague, the asset-stripping of a company and the leak of information from the intelligence service.

Author: Ian Willoughby