Czech branch of Transparency International investigated for embezzlement

The weekly magazine Euro has reported that the Czech branch of corruption watchdog Transparency International is under investigation for alleged embezzlement. The journal said Transparency has returned only half of a 30-million-crown interest-free loan it received from the Finance Ministry to host a conference (a case going back to 2001). The director of the Prague office of Transparency International, Adriana Krnacova, said criminal proceedings launched in connection with the case had a political subtext. The Czech branch of TI has strongly protested the accusation.