Avast ye scurvy scallywags! The Czech PM Babis hath been set free again for his $2 million fraud!
2024-02-14
Arr, me hearties! The scallywag Andrej Babis, a former cap'n o' the Prime Ministers, be walkin' free yet again! Aye, 'tis the second time a court in Prague has found 'im not guilty o' fraud, 'bout a $2 million con involvin' them European Union subsidies. Avast ye, justice be sailin' away!
A Prague court acquitted former Prime Minister Andrej Babis of fraud charges in a $2 million case involving European Union subsidies. Babis had pleaded not guilty, claiming the charges were politically motivated. The prosecution can still appeal the verdict, as they had requested a three-year suspended sentence and a fine for Babis.The case revolved around a farm called the Stork's Nest, which received EU subsidies after it was transferred from Babis' conglomerate to his family members. The subsidies were intended for small businesses, making Agrofert ineligible. However, the conglomerate eventually returned the subsidy.
Babis' former associate, Jana Nagyova, who signed the subsidy request, was also acquitted. Judge Jan Sott stated that their actions were not considered criminal.
Babis, who is now part of the opposition after losing the parliamentary election, had also competed for the presidency but lost. His ANO centrist movement remains popular in public polls.
This is not the first time Babis has been acquitted in this case. The Prague Municipal Court previously cleared him and Nagyova, but the decision was overturned by the High Court and the case was retried.
With Babis' acquittal, the political implications in the Czech Republic remain uncertain. Babis' ANO party still enjoys significant support, but these fraud allegations have undoubtedly affected his reputation.