Czech Republic sees high-profile politician on trial for briber

In a widely publicized trail, Vit Barta of the Public Affairs party – junior member of the ruling coalition – stands accused of bribing at least two former party members. 

Barta heads the party’s deputies in the Lower House of Parliament and is widely viewed as the party’s de-facto chairman. He also gained notoriety for a private security firm he founded that has allegedly spied on politicians in the past.

The televised trial dominated the news in the Czech Republic during the week.

Barta admitted to giving relatively large sums of money to former party members, but he claims that the transactions were “personal loans.” If he is found guilty Barta could face a sentence of up to six years.

Former party member Jaroslav Skarka is also being tried for accepting a bribe.

The trial has also shed light on the internal workings of the Public Affairs party with critics characterizing Barta as an autocrat who kept tight control of party communication and sought to buy the loyalty of party members.

The party entered the Lower House of Parliament in May 2010 when it secured 11 percent of the vote. Prior to the election, it ran a vociferous campaign against corruption. Now it appears that the party is sealing its own demise owing to the bribery allegations in this highly publicized trial.

Barta was forced to step down as transport minister in April 2011 after allegations surfaced that he had reportedly bought the silence and loyalty of party members.

The daily Mlada fronta dnes published audio recordings of Barta at the time, speaking to the management of the ABL security firm, which he founded, owned and directed before being elected to parliament.

The tapes suggested that Barta wanted to use political power to secure new contracts for the firm, which he had sold to his brother before entering parliamentary politics. On the same recording he emphasized the strategic advantage of gathering personal information on influential people.

The bribery allegations and tapes have pushed the Necas cabinet to the brink of collapse. Public Affairs Chairman Radek John was also forced to resign from his post as interior minister.