Czech former prime minister Babis acquitted of millions fraud

EPA

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:08

Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has been acquitted of fraud involving millions in EU subsidies. That is what the court in Prague decided today.

Babis was accused of diverting €2 million in European money to build a luxury resort just outside Prague; according to the Public Prosecution Service in the Czech Republic, the former prime minister had concealed that he was the owner in order to qualify for a subsidy.

The company that runs the resort is part of Agrofert, Babis’ billion-dollar company that he has placed in a so-called trust fund. The Public Prosecution Service can still appeal against today’s decision.

Demonstrations

The investigation into Babis has been going on for years. In 2019, the Public Prosecution Service in Prague discontinued the investigation, because it was concluded that no crime had been committed. Hundreds of thousands of Czechs then took to the streets in protest. The national Public Prosecution Service then concluded that the case should be reopened.

From prime minister to president

Babis’s assets are estimated at 3.2 billion euros. This makes him one of the richest Czechs. When Babis became prime minister, he transferred his empire to two trust funds.

The acquittal is a boost for Babis, who will participate in the presidential elections in the Czech Republic next Friday. He is considered one of the contenders for the presidency, which is mainly a ceremonial position in Czech politics.

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