Babiš attacks Pavel's past, warns of dirty tricks at news conference

Andrej Babiš made a strong attack on his rival for the post of Czech president, Petr Pavel, and his past at a news conference on Saturday early evening.

Among other assertions, Mr. Babiš said that currently the only president in Europe who had been a “Communist agent” was Russia’s Putin; this is a reference to allegations that Mr. Pavel took part in an intelligence training course in the late 1980s.

Both Mr. Babiš and Mr. Pavel were members of the Communist Party prior to the Velvet Revolution and the former denies allegations he worked with the secret police.

Mr. Babiš also told reporters that he expected that “kompro” (damaging materials) and doctored photographs would be used against him between now and the second round. In addition he said claims linking him to the KGB were likely to be made.