Supreme Public Prosecutor’s report warns that corruption has also infested smaller towns and villages

Corruption is not only endemic at the highest levels of the Czech government but has also permeated into the smallest local village and town authorities, according to a new report published by the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office. Specifically, untoward connections between public officials and lobbyists, contractors and consulting firms are causing corruption in transactions affecting public property and the public purse. The report, compiled with the aid of the country’s intelligence service BIS, also warns that many cases of localised corruption are going unnoticed or unpunished due to fears of political consequences. Only around 50 cases of bribe taking were investigated last year in this sphere, which the Prosecutor’s Office says is indicative of poor police work. One solution is believed to be better legislation to protect whistle-blowers, and is currently under discussion by the government.

Author: Dominik Jůn