Brno court releases ex-politician Rath on probation

The Municipal Court in Brno has agreed to release ex-politician David Rath from prison on probation. Mr. Rath, who was a health minister for the Social Democrats, has served more than half of a seven-year jail term for corruption.

He told the court that he had learned his lesson and that three and a half years had been sufficient experience.

A state prosecutor had argued that Mr. Rath should not be released, in part because he has not yet paid around half of a CZK 10 million fine handed down as part of his sentence. The prosecutor may appeal Tuesday’s ruling.