PRAGUE - The long-awaited main trial in the so-called Dozimetr case has begun at the District Court for Prague 9. The case, which is one of the biggest corruption scandals related to the Prague Transport Company, has brought eight defendants to court. The key figure is Michal Redl, a businessman from Zlín, while the former deputy mayor of Prague Petr Hlubuček and businessman Pavel Kos are also accused.
Prosecutor Adam Borgula built the indictment on the allegation that since 2019 an organized group has been operating through appointed managers in the management of the Transport Company of the Capital City of Prague. Prague's Transport Authority influenced contracts, collected bribes in the millions of crowns and distributed the funds. The indictment also describes other acts, such as money laundering and drug offences.
Redl pleaded not guilty at the start of the trial. In his statement he said: "I did not set up any organized group and I did not participate in it as a leader." He stressed that he had not committed bribery and that he considered it a fundamental problem that not all the evidence had been made available to his defence. According to Czech Television, he also pointed out that this violated his right to a fair trial. He admitted only to drug use, and the court therefore dispensed with evidence on that part.
Hlubuček, the former deputy mayor, denied the charges in their entirety. According to his statement, he insists he did not participate in any criminal activity. The indictment accuses him of being involved in a scheme to manipulate contracts, but he claims there is no evidence and that he was wrongly accused.
The businessman Kos took a different stance and confessed to the crime. When questioned by the court, he replied: "I'm interested in pleading guilty." According to his attorney, he is seeking a plea agreement with the prosecutor. His plea could significantly speed up the trial and change the overall strategy of the prosecution and defense.
Other defendants, such as Luděk Šteffelare also considering plea bargaining with the prosecutor, while others are denying guilt. Judge Jakub Kriebel decided that the interrogation of the defendants and witnesses would continue during the week. Pavel Kos is scheduled to testify on Tuesday, Hlubuček on Thursday, followed by other defendants and key witnesses.
The Dozimetr case has attracted attention not only because of the scope of the indictment, but also because of its political implications. After the police intervention in 2022, Hlubuček quit his position as deputy mayor and resigned his membership in the STAN movement. The whole case showed how strongly corruption can interfere in public enterprises and politics.
The first day of the main trial set a clear framework for the trial to continue: both Redl and Hlubuček deny guilt, and Redl claims his rights were violated. Kos, on the other hand, has pleaded guilty and is negotiating a plea bargain that could fundamentally affect the future course of the trial. The case will continue with interviews and evidence in the coming days, with a verdict expected in a few months at the earliest.
gnews.cz - GH
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