Ex-politician Rath describes corruption conviction of co-accused as “show trial”

Ex-politician David Rath has described the conviction of a married couple over corruption of which he is also accused as a “political show trial”. Kateřina Kottová and Petr Kott on Tuesday received jail terms of 7.5 years and were stripped of around CZK 30 million, while seven others were also convicted over the manipulation of a contract to renovate a chateau and hospital procurement. Mr. Rath, who is facing similar charges in a separate trial, said he hoped he would be tried by judges who did not ignore evidence and court experts. If found guilty, the former health minister and regional governor could spend up to 12 years behind bars.