Justice minister rejects claim she put pressure on supreme state attorney

Justice Minister Marie Benešová has said the supreme state attorney’s accusations that she had put pressure on him were cheap and simplified. She said that if Supreme State Attorney Pavel Zeman wanted to make such grave accusations, he should be specific and clarify his claims. Minister Benešová said she has not interfered with Mr. Zeman’s work in any way. She told the ctk news agency she would propose a replacement to the Cabinet as soon as possible.

Supreme State Attorney Pavel Zeman announced his decision to resign on Friday saying he was leaving his post because he was spending too much time and energy confronting attacks from Justice Minister Marie Benešová. He didn’t elaborate on their past disagreements and said there was no pressure from other government members. The supreme state attorney said he would vacate the post on June 30 and planned to serve as a regular prosecutor.

In their most recent clash last week, the justice minister threatened the supreme state attorney with a disciplinary charge for having spoken to reporters about the 2014 Vrbětice blasts.