Former Civic Democrat rebels demand compensation over loss of careers

Three former Civic Democrat MPs have made a claim for compensation after being held in custody in connection with alleged bribe-taking but released without charge. Then party rebels Petr Tluchoř, Marek Šnajdr and Ivan Fuksa were last year accused of taking bribes in the form of lucrative posts at semi-state companies in exchange for preventing the fall of the government. However, the case was thrown out on the grounds they were covered by parliamentary immunity. Their compensation claims over the destruction of their political careers was revealed by a Ministry of Justice representative. He would not say how much the three were demanding, but there have been reports that they want CZK 4 million each. Their arrests were part of a scandal that brought down the centre-right government of Civic Democrat PM Petr Nečas.