Babis’s Justice Minister Nominee Favors Delaying Capi Hnizdo Prosecution

Tatana Mala Andrej Babis

Prague, June 22 (CTK) – The Czech Pirates, the Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09 criticise the nomination of ANO MP Tatana Mala for justice minister, as presented by PM and ANO leader Andrej Babis today, mainly mentioning her previous words that the prosecution of Babis might be adjourned until the next election term.

 

Babis faces prosecution for a suspected EU subsidy fraud linked to his Farma Capi hnizdo (Stork Nest) firm.

 

Some time ago, Mala pondered on whether a court has to deal with the Capi hnizdo case immediately. “What prevents the solving of the case from being postponed by four years, after a new general election?” Mala asked.

 

Pirates chairman Ivan Bartos said justice in the Czech Republic is not in good hands if Mala, infamous for her suggestion that Babis’s prosecution should be adjourned, is to become justice minister.

 

The ODS, too, cites Mala’s controversial statement. “All of us must be equal before law. Equal criteria must be applied to all. We will do our best for the rule of law to be preserved,” the ODS has tweeted.

 

Mala’s words about the prosecution postponement helped her qualify as a potential minister in Babis’s eyes, TOP 09 deputies’ group chairman Miroslav Kalousek tweeted.

 

TOP 09 chairman Jiri Pospisil mentioned Mala’s business activities. “As a co-owner of a firm dealing with insolvencies, Tatana Mala faces a conflict of interests,” he said.

 

Mala’s husband is a bankruptcy administrator and thus subject to the Justice Ministry’s supervision.

 

The Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) said the person of the prime minister is more important for them than the planned cabinet’s lineup.

 

“A man who has been accused of a serious crime should not be part of the cabinet, and the cabinet should not depend on the votes of the Communists (KSCM) or the [ultra-right] Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD).

 

The nascent cabinet does both regardless of its personnel composition, KDU-CSL chairman Pavel Belobradek told journalists.

 

Earlier today, Babis released the names of ANO’s ten candidates in the planned minority cabinet of ANO and the CSSD, which is to be kept afloat by the KSCM. Compared with his one-party government that has been ruling in a caretaker regime, the new one will include five CSSD ministers and ANO’s seven current and three new ministers.

 

Mala will replace outgoing Justice Minister Robert Pelikan (ANO), who previously said he does not want to join the new cabinet.