Media: Babiš verdict could come days before presidential vote

The Prague Municipal Court could deliver a verdict in the trial of Andrej Babiš just days before Czech presidential elections, which he is contesting, take place, Novinky.cz reported on Tuesday.

Lawyers say that if Mr. Babiš is elected head of state criminal proceedings against him over alleged subsidy fraud would be suspended for the duration of his term of office, the news site said.

Hearings in the case are due to resume in December but the head of the court’s judges panel has also set aside January 4 to 6.

The ANO leader is accused of wrongfully acquiring around CZK 50 million in EU subsidies by misrepresenting the size of a business, the Stork’s Nest conference centre near Prague.

The prime minister, Petr Fiala, says Mr. Babiš is seeking the presidency to acquire immunity. The latter denies any wrongdoing.