Former health minister Julínek accused of corruption

The anti-corruption police have filed charges against former health minister Tomáš Julínek, according to press reports on Friday. The former Civic Democrat minister has been charged with abuse of office and breach of trust for allowing two private companies to take over the operation of air ambulances in 2008. The move has so far cost the state around 800 million crowns, which is the difference between the private operators’ expenses and those of the ministries of interior and defence, which previously provided the service. Mr Julínek, who could face up to 10 years in jail if found guilty, will not be taken into custody for the duration of the investigation.