The anti-corruption drive in the Czech Republic is finally starting to produce results. In just five months this year police have begun investigations on more cases than they did in all of 2011. Moreover, there’s an impression that they’re going for the big fish. In just a few months the police have gained permission to prosecute four MPs – Vít Bárta, Jaroslav Škárka, David Rath and Otto Chaloupka — and say they are working on other high profile cases, including the former Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanová and two other members of the parliament.
The speed with which the police are moving after years of stalling has surprised many and has raised questions about their motives. Police President Petr Lessy was quoted by Český rozhlas as saying that the investigators have finally a chance to produce results without interference from those higher up. “Investigators are just doing their job,” he said. The sudden spate of cases is the result of systemic changes which no longer make it compulsory for investigators to report on cases they are working on.” In the past, superiors had to be informed of progress on “sensitive” cases. It’s also believed that the State Attorney’s Office and the Interior Ministry have changed their approach to such issues.
