Minister Cunek says he can clear his name

Regional Development Minister Jiri Cunek says he can explain the origin of the suspect half a million crowns which he placed in his account in 2002. In a televised debate on Sunday, Mr. Cunek said he had documents to prove that the money was family savings retrieved from Universal Bank following its bankruptcy. The minister said it was money earned before he entered politics and that he had managed to retrieve it thanks to the fact that the savings account was ensured against bankruptcy.

The police suspect Mr. Cunek of having taken a bribe when he was in regional politics and the police have asked for him to be stripped of his immunity. His former secretary is their chief witness, having told the police that her former boss not only accepted the bribe but openly boasted about it. Jiri Cunek, who is also a senator and head of the Christian Democratic Party, has dismissed the accusations saying he would clear his name in court.