Corrupt bankers get amnesty from Czech President

Convicts scheduled to receive amnesty from the Czech President in 2013 include bankrupt national bank – Union banka – employees, who are being tried for contributing to its downfall, news portal Ceske noviny reported.

“The amnesty declared by President Vaclav Klaus also applies to managers of the Union banka bank who are suspected of contributing to its bankruptcy by extending out controversial loans [...],” Ceske noviny wrote.

The verdict in the case against the bank managers is expected to be announced on January 22, but the accused will reportedly walk free irrespective of the outcome. The amnesty may also apply to former bosses of the Ceskomoravska druzstevni sporitelna (CMDS) credit union accused of defrauding CZK 300 mln from the company.

Ceske noviny also reported that the amnesty list will allegedly include Polish drug trafficker Artur K sentenced for selling drugs disguised as “collectors items.”

The amnesty declared by Klaus is part of an initiative celebrating 20 years of independence for the Czech Republic. It will mostly involve criminals serving short sentences.

An estimated 7,416 prisoners will be released under the scheme.