PM welcomes halting of criminal investigation

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has welcomed the halting of a criminal investigation involving the Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek. Mr. Cunek was suspected of having accepted a half a million crown bribe from a building company when he was mayor of Vsetin in 2002. State attorney Arif Salichov questioned the credibility of the key witness, Mr. Cunek's former secretary, and said the investigation was being halted for lack of evidence.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democrat leader claimed from the start that he was innocent of the charges against him and repeatedly refused to resign from office. Prime Minister Topolanek said he was glad he had respected the presumption of innocence despite growing pressure on him to sack the deputy prime minister. Opposition parties have criticized the decision to halt the investigation.