Aktualne.cz CzechNews brings you a taste of this week's issue of its partner publication, English-language investigative weekly Czech Insider.
The new issue will be available here at 4 PM (CET).
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Arrest of lobbyist Marek Dalik: Why now?
Behind the scenes - Marek Dalik, a Prime Minister Topolanek-era lobbyist, was arrested on October 8 and charged with fraud in relation to the purchase of Pandur armored personnel carriers by the Czech military.
But the corruption case is five years old. Why did police arrest Dalik now?
Chief Prague Prosecutor Lenka Bradacova who handles the case said that the arrest was prompted by a new, significant development in the investigation... (read more here).
-----Slovak connection in Pandur case
Behind the scenes - Slovak arms dealer Miroslav Vyboh played a larger role in the Pandur corruption scandal than previously believed.
The name of Miroslav Vyboh, who has important political connections to Slovakia's ruling party Smer, appeared in the text of the fraud charge raised against lobbyist Marek Dalik last week.
Vyboh was one of the participants of the 2007 meeting during which Dalik allegedly asked for a EUR 18 million bribe... (read more here).
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Forestry giant Less faces bankruptcy
Business - Czech billionaire Andrej Babis said that the Less forestry firm owned by Jan Micanek may end up bankrupt.
Less owes CZK 311 million to Agrofert, a financial group owned by Babis. This makes Agrofert one of the largest creditors of Less.
Micanek has asked for a restructuring of his firm. He wants the firm's operation to remain intact and a part of its debt to be written off... (read more here).
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Czech Insider is an English-language weekly edition of Deník Insider ("Insider Daily"), a Czech subscription-only daily newspaper prepared by the creators of Aktualne.cz that provides original investigative insight into the top tiers of Czech politics and business.
Every Monday at 4 PM (CET), Czech Insider publishes the English translation of the most important stories from the previous week. You can get your subscription here or try a 14-day trial version.
