Czech daily: Fugitive businessman in possession of proof of loan to Social Democrats

The Czech newspaper, Mlada Fronta Dnes, has printed two promissory notes that allegedly prove that the Social Democratic Party owes millions of crowns to a controversial businessman. Radovan Krejcir claims he loaned 60 million crowns (some 2.5 million US dollars) to the party four years ago in order to help finance its election campaign. He says the two promissory notes were signed by the former Social Democrat leader Stanislav Gross in 2002. The Social Democrats have rejected the allegations and Mr Gross says the signatures are forged.

The police have also expressed doubt at the authenticity of the promissory notes. During a police raid in March, a fax was found holding clear instructions on how to forge a promissory note. They included a detailed explanation of the graphic design, the colour, and personal information on Mr Gross. Radovan Krejcir currently lives on the Seychelles. He fled the Czech Republic last year as he is wanted on a number of charges including tax evasion and conspiracy to murder.