Czech Police File Fraud Charges Against Andrej Babiš

Cynthia Kroet writes in Politico that Andrej Babiš has been formally charged by Czech Police. Excerpt below.

Police filed charges against Babiš, a former finance minister, and his deputy Jaroslav Faltýnek for subsidy fraud linked to a farm and conference center nearly a decade ago. Babiš is believed to be behind a plan to acquire the EU funds that were only meant for small businesses.

PM candidate Andrej Babiš already lost his parliamentary immunity this summer. If the case is brought to court and if the men are found guilty, they face potential prison sentences.

Babiš is the leader of the centrist ANO party, which looks set to win the most votes in next week’s legislative election, according to polls, but it could fall short of an overall majority. If Babiš does become prime minister, he would again be immune from prosecution.