Blažek discusses Zeman request for intervention over Castle-related cases

The Czech minister of justice, Pavel Blažek, has spoken openly about how outgoing president Miloš Zeman and his team sought the government’s help in halting investigations related to Prague Castle. In an interview for Seznam Zprávy on Monday, Mr. Blažek says the now former head of state discussed a pardon for the company Metrostav, which has been prohibited from taking part in public tenders over a bribery scandal. Mr. Zeman’s officials said this would mean a large number of layoffs at the firm.

The ex-president also pushed for the halting of an investigation into his head of office, Vratislav Mynář, on suspicion of subsidy fraud, saying he was only under scrutiny because of his closeness to Mr. Zeman, according to Mr. Blažek.

The government decided not to accede to the then head of state’s wishes, the minister said.