Czech former governor in trial for corruption no longer poses flight risk

The former governor of Bohemia Central, David Rath, who is facing corruption charges, was given back his passport by Prague-A court and no longer has to report to his probation officer, the Czech media reported.

“I have my passport with me, and I can travel,” Rath said denying all wrongdoing. “As you can see, I am not fleeing anywhere.”

Rath was caught red-handed in May 2012 with a CZK 7 mln suspected bribe hidden in a wine box. Soon after he was charged with bribery, linked to the planned reconstruction of the Bustěhrad chateau, and incarcerated. He was released from custody after 18 months in November 2013.

All along Rath has claimed that he had no idea that the CZK 7 mln were hidden in the box.

Rath is on trial for several other suspected instances of bribery, those being linked to the purchase of hospital equipment in the Central Bohemia Region.

Should he be convicted of all he is charged (a total of CZK 16 mln), he could be facing up to 12 years in prison.

Simultaneously, a ruling issued last year by the Constitutional Court stated that Rath’s rights were violated by excessive incarceration, which gives him the basis for a compensation claim.

Photo courtesy of Djembayz.