Cunek gives conflicting explanations over alleged bribe

Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek has apparently given conflicting explanations as to the origin of half a million crowns which he is accused of having taken as a bribe. Police suspect the Christian Democrats leader of receiving the money from a building company when he was mayor of the town of Vsetin. In recent days Senator Cunek has said the money represented family savings. But police say that during earlier questioning he said he had forgotten where he got the money.

The Senate's immunity committee has recommended that Mr Cunek be stripped of his parliamentary immunity to allow criminal proceedings against him to begin. A final decision will be made in about two weeks' time.