Dawn party boss files criminal complaint against PM Sobotka over mining firm privatization

The head of the Dawn party, MP Tomio Okamura, has filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka over his role in the 2004 privatization of the mining firm OKD. Mr Sobotka, who then served as finance minister in a Social Democrat government, faces allegations the company was sold off for much less than the firm’s real value. In a press release, Mr Okamura said cabinet ministers at the time might have made a deal with the buyer not to insist on a higher price. The OKD privation has led to a first major rift in the coaltion government after Prime Minister Sobotka accused ANO leader Andrej Babiš of using his media outlets to put pressure on the Social Democrats.