Prague — A Czech court on Monday convicted a former aide of the populist prime minister Andrej Babis He was given a three-year suspended sentence and fined for fraud.
Babis was also a defendant along with Jana Nagywa in a $2 million fraud case involving EU subsidies, but he could not be sentenced because lawmakers in the lower house of parliament rejected it in March. A proposal to increase his immunity From the prosecution.
The populist billionaire began his third term as prime minister in December. He has said that the case was “clearly politically motivated”. The rejection of the motion means he can stand trial only after his term ends in 2029.
Nagyova is currently a member of the European Parliament, having had her immunity lifted. Prague’s Municipal Court also fined him 500,000 koruna or crowns ($24,000).
The decision is not final and she can appeal.
The case centered on a farm known as Stork’s Nest, which had received EU subsidies after its ownership was transferred from Babic-owned Agrofert Group to members of his family. Later, Agrofert took ownership of the farm again.
The subsidy was for small and medium-sized enterprises, meaning Agrofert would not have been eligible. The group later returned the subsidy.
Babiš returned to power after his ANO, or Yes, movement Won a big victory in the October electionsTwo smaller political groups, Freedom and Direct Democracy, are forming a governing coalition with the anti-immigrant party and the right-wing Motorists.
The coalition’s agenda includes barring the country from supporting Ukraine and rejecting some key EU policies.
