Prague court drops charges against lobbyist Ivo Rittig

A Prague court on Friday dismissed charges against controversial Czech lobbyist Ivo Rittig in a case of alleged fraud at the company Oleo Chemical. Rittig and nine other people faced charges of tax evasion, money-laundering and embezzlement of large amounts of company funds. They were alleged to have been paid around 20 million crowns by the company for fictitious services. Four people involved in the case received sentences of up to six years in prison. Rittig, a former boxing promotor, is famous as a behind the scenes fixer concerning dubious deals involving Prague City Hall.