Immunity committee shelves decision on Vondruska case

The mandate and immunity committee of the lower house on Wednesday postponed a debate on whether to strip Communist Party deputy Josef Vondruska of his parliamentary immunity. Vondruska is suspected of having tortured prisoners under the former Communist regime when he worked as a prison guard. Police want to question the deputy about his past activities following charges of brutality filed by former political prisoners. Vonduska has dismissed the accusation, saying that the case was a pretext to damage the Communist Party. According to Communist Party leader Vojtech Filip, the chamber may vote on Vondruska's case in September.