Insider says sensitive case could have been behind justice minister’s dismissal

The daily Insider has suggested that the activities of the State Attorney’s Office in Prague could be behind the unexpected sacking of Justice Minister Jiří Pospíšil. The daily said that in recent months the acting head of the office, Stanislav Mečl, had reportedly requested files on several sensitive cases including that relating to the former environment minister Pavel Drobil who resigned amidst speculation that he had covered up corruption at the State Environment Fund. This particular case –in which police are said to have investigated the prime minister himself –is reported to have soured relations with Mr. Pospíšil.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nečas, who has come under a volley of criticism over Wednesday’s lightning dismissal of the justice minister, insists that poor management and budgetary issues were behind the dismissal. He has once again stated that he was not aware of the fact that ex-minister Jiří Pospíšil had just received an official request from the Supreme State Attorney for the nomination of Lenka Bradáčová to the post of Prague High State Attorney and was prepared to approve it. Bradáčová is a scrupulously honest and highly respected prosecutor who is relentless in her fight against corruption.