Lower house lifts immunity of deputy facing charges of abuse of power during police career

Czech MPs have voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of deputy Bronislav Schwarz of ANO to allow the police to investigate him on criminal charges. He faces abuse of power accusations in connection with an incident in 2006 when, as a local police chief, he ordered that suspects be cuffed during an unauthorised raid of a flat where drug making equipment was found. Mr. Schwarz was elected to the Chamber of Deputies at the end of October but denies standing in the hope of securing immunity.