ČTK | 21 February 2011

http://praguemonitor.com/2011/02/21/czech-austrian-attorneys-probe-money-laundering-promopro-case

Prague, Feb 18 (CTK) - Czech and Austrian state attorneys have launched a check of suspected money laundering related to the dubious order for audiovisual services for events organised within the Czech EU presidency in 2009, Prague High State Attorney Vlastimil Rampula said Friday.

Rampula's office asked for help from the Austrian judiciary. However, Austrian attorneys started dealing with the case also based on a complaint from Austrian authorities, Rampula said.

The Czech Finance Ministry said on Thursday it is not clear what the Czech state gained in exchange for about a half of the 525 million crowns it paid to Promopro. Some 135 million crowns have been blocked in Austrian accounts in this connection.

The ministry said the money ended in suspicious accounts abroad.

Czech anti-corruption police deal with the case over suspected breach of trust.

The opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) call on Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra (Civic Democrats, ODS), who was deputy prime minister for EU affairs during the presidency, to leave the cabinet over the case.

Vondra said it is up to the police to investigate the case.

Promopro executive manager Jaroslav Vesely claims that the firm committed no crime.

Experts say the controversial order was hugely overpriced.