Montenegro freezes assets of Czech hospital executive in corruption case

Montenegro has frozen the assets of Pavel Budinský, former deputy director of Prague’s Motol University Hospital, over a major EU corruption case, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Wednesday. At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), a Montenegrin court blocked Budinský’s villa near Tivat and shares in a local company, citing suspicions the property was bought with illicit funds.

Budinský is one of 18 people charged in Czechia in a case involving bribery, fraud, and misuse of EU subsidies. He and former Motol director Miloslav Ludvík have been in custody since February. Authorities say over CZK 100 million in assets have been seized.

Though not an EU member, Montenegro works with the EPPO under a cooperation agreement. The case highlights growing international efforts to crack down on cross-border corruption and abuse of EU funds.