Police unit head defends raid

The head of the country’s anti-mafia police unit, Robert Šlachta, has defended a recent raid at the Office of the Government, reacting to criticism that it was theatrical or excessive. The raid, part of an extended anti-graft operation, led to the arrest of the prime minister’s chief-of-sfaff and others in connection with an unprecedented spying and corruption scandal. The prime minister resigned several days later, leading to the government’s collapse. Speaking on a Sunday TV debate programme, Mr Šlachta denied some reports in the media that police at the Office of the Government had worn balaclava masks, or used a handheld battering ram. Earlier in the week, Justice Minister Pavel Blažek promised a review of the raid, the results of which should be known in several weeks.