Ex-Social Democrat David Rath released from custody

Former senior Social Democrat MP and Central Bohemian governor David Rath was released from police custody on Monday, 18 months after he was arrested on corruption charges. Mr Rath’s release was ordered by Prague’s High Court which upheld his complaint against being held in custody; the court said the risk of Mr Rath avoiding trial was no longer an issue. David Rath, a former health minister and governor of Central Bohemia, was arrested in May 2012, along with several other people, over alleged corruption in several public procurement projects. The trial began in August; if convicted, David Rath faces 12 years in prison.