Communist-era file of senior soldier released by security forces archive

The Archive of the Security Forces has released the communist-era military counter-intelligence file of a so-called “confidant” who is now one of the most senior Czech soldiers. The file of Brigadier General Miroslav Bálint, currently deputy of the Czech army’s chief of staff, was posted on the archive’s website on Friday. However the officer, who is 53, has issued a statement saying he never knowingly co-operated with the military counter-intelligence services. Similar files relating to a number of Czech MPs have recently appeared on the internet. However, the head of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes says it appears none of those listed as “confidants” actually collaborated.