Czech lawmakers are deciding whether to strip Prime Minister Andrej Babiš of his legal immunity in a $2 million European Union subsidy fraud case. The case involves allegations that Babiš manipulated farm ownership to illegally obtain EU funds meant for smaller businesses.
PRAGUE — Members of the Czech Parliament’s lower chamber were scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to remove Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s legal protections from prosecution in a $2 million fraud case connected to European Union funding.
If approved, the decision would enable Prague’s Municipal Court to proceed with the case and render a final judgment. The court had previously cleared Babiš on two occasions, but a higher court overturned those decisions, stating they failed to properly evaluate the evidence and directing the lower court to find him guilty in a new trial.
Babiš has maintained his innocence and declared the case “is clearly politically motivated.” Prosecutors initially sought a suspended sentence and financial penalty for the billionaire populist leader, who started his third term as prime minister in December.
The allegations focus on a property called the Stork’s Nest, which obtained EU funding after being moved from Babiš’s Agrofert business empire to his family members’ control. Subsequently, Agrofert regained control of the property.
The EU funding was designated for smaller businesses, which would have made Agrofert ineligible to receive it. The company eventually repaid the subsidy money.
Jana Nagyová, Babiš’s former business partner who authorized the subsidy application, will also face a new trial. She currently serves in the European Parliament, which has already removed her immunity protections.
Babiš regained leadership after his ANO (YES) party secured a decisive victory in October elections, creating a governing alliance with two smaller parties: the anti-immigration Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the conservative Motorists party.
The new coalition plans to reduce the country’s support for Ukraine and oppose certain European Union initiatives.
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