Lobbyist Marek Dalík sentenced to five years in prison over corruption case

Marek Dalík, a lobbyist and an ex-aide to former Czech prime minister Mirek Topolánek, has been sent to five years in prison for corruption in a case involving the purchase of armoured vehicles for the Czech Army from the Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr. Mr Dalík was found guilty of demanding a bribe of 500 million crowns to ensure that the lucrative order was won by the Austrian firm. The deal was eventually signed in 2009. The Prague municipal court has also ordered Mr Dalík to pay five million crowns in damages. The former right hand man of the centre-right premier denies any wrongdoing and is likely to appeal the verdict.