Justice minister files disciplinary action against former prosecutor general

Justice Minister Marie Benešová launched a disciplinary action against the former prosecutor general, Pavel Zeman, for his conduct during the restitution case of the Czernin family on Thursday.

The case first drew attention in January when news site Seznam Zprávy reported that Pavel Zeman had privately interceded for Petr Habersberger, the owner of the boarding house near Třeboň and that he was personally involved in a restitution case concerning the land on which the businessman farmed. The lands were acquired several years ago by a descendant of the Czernin noble family.

Speaking on Friday, Zeman, whose tenure as prosecutor general ended with resignation on June 30, denied any bias in the case and said that the launching of the disciplinary action by the justice minister shows why he had resigned. He refused to comment further, saying that he is unaware of the contents of the charge.