Court rules that Energoaqua caused Bečva River poisoning but no penalty imposed

The company Energoaqua is responsible for the poisoning of the Bečva River that occurred on September 20, 2020, the Vsetín District Court ruled on Monday. However, the judge ruled that it was a misdemeanour rather than a criminal offence, meaning that no punishment was imposed. The court acquitted the director of the company, Oldřich Havelka, of the charges of poisoning the river and referred the matter back to the Czech Environmental Inspectorate.

The director of Energoaqua, Oldřich Havelka, again denied responsibility for the accident, telling reporters after the verdict that there was no evidence that the company had caused the disaster.

Environment Minister Petr Hladík told the Czech News Agency that he is sorry that the court was unable to find the culprit and impose the appropriate punishment, but he respects the decision of the court.

According to the public prosecutor, Energoaqua caused the poisoning of the Bečva River with cyanide and hexavalent chromium that got into the river through the company's wastewater, resulting in the death of over 39 tons of fish.