Corruption in the Czech Republic

A series of political corruption cases has damaged the image of Nečas’ administration (see corruption cases below), which is reflected in Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2013, which reveals that 73% of the surveyed Czechs consider political parties to be “corrupt” or “extremely corrupt”.

In the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2013–2014, surveyed business executives cite corruption as the most problematic factor for doing business in the country.{{cite web|title=Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014|url=http://www.weforum.org/|publisher=World Economic Forum|access-date=16 December 2013}} According to Ernst & Young's 2012 Global Fraud Survey, 80% of surveyed companies perceive bribery and corruption to be widespread in the business sector, and fewer than 10% state that between 2009 and 2011 their companies “very frequently/always” conducted due diligence on fraud and corruption-related risks before or after acquiring a new business.{{cite web|title=Growing Beyond: a place for integrity 12th Global Fraud Survey|url=http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Global-Fraud-Survey-a-place-for-integrity-12th-Global-Fraud-Survey/$FILE/EY-12th-GLOBAL-FRAUD-SURVEY.pdf|publisher=Ernst & Young|access-date=16 December 2013|archive-date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111051627/https://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Global-Fraud-Survey-a-place-for-integrity-12th-Global-Fraud-Survey/%24FILE/EY-12th-GLOBAL-FRAUD-SURVEY.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Although the business environment is characterised by a clear set of rules and little interference, corruption remains an obstacle to doing business in public procurement, awarding of subsidies and direct interactions between public and private sectors.{{cite web|title=National Integrity System Assessment 2011|date=8 December 2011 |url=http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/pub/national_integrity_system_assessment_czech_republic|publisher=Transparency International|access-date=16 December 2013}}

Miloslav Ludvík, former Motol University Hospital director who served as Minister of Health from 2016 to 2017, is now among 16 individuals charged with bribery and fraud linked to construction contracts valued at over CZK 4 billion, underscoring a serious crackdown on corruption in the country’s healthcare system.{{Cite web |last=Lazarová|first=Daniela|date=24 February 2025|title=Head of Prague's Motol hospital dismissed following charges of bribery |url=https://english.radio.cz/head-pragues-motol-hospital-dismissed-following-charges-bribery-8843780 |access-date=25 February 2025|website=Czech Radio}}

In Brno, several South Moravian officials have set up a well-functioning business to earn extra money on top of their salaries. Instead of punishing, officials helped road pirates from year 2022.{{Cite web |title=Nechceš se vybodovat? Zařídíme za 30 tisíc. Úředníci místo trestání podle policistů pomáhali pirátům silnic |url=https://www.novinky.cz/clanek/krimi-nechces-se-vybodovat-zaridime-za-30-tisic-urednici-misto-trestani-podle-policistu-pomahali-piratum-silnic-40522382}}

In alleged EU-subsidies fraud, former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš was accused of illegally obtaining €2 million in EU subsidies designated for small businesses by concealing his ownership of a farm and a convention center called "Storks Nest" ({{langx|cs|Čapí hnízdo}}).{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-politics-babis/czech-police-ask-parliament-to-allow-prosecution-of-pm-candidate-babis-idUSKBN1AQ208|title=Czech police ask parliament to allow prosecution of PM candidate Babis|date=10 August 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=22 November 2017}} Czech police requested that the Lower House lift his parliamentary immunity on two occasions, in September and November 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/andrej-babis-czech-police-seek-to-prosecute-prospective-pm-for-alleged-fraud/a-41467109|title=Andrej Babis: Czech police seek to prosecute prospective PM for alleged fraud|date=21 November 2017|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=16 April 2018}} In both cases the Lower House lifted the immunity and the police have initiated criminal proceedings.{{cite news|url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/online-snemovna/r~332899d2fa1311e7b6830cc47ab5f122/?_ga=2.210628245.1686128042.1516031095-1459700410.1511207770|title=Živě: Poslanci vydali Babiše a Faltýnka policii. Absolutní nesmysl, brání se místopředseda ANO|website=Aktuálně.cz|date=16 January 2018}} He is accused of the crime of alleged fraud (§212, Criminal Code, 2009) and of wilful damage to the financial interests of the European Union (§ 260, Criminal Code, 2009) in the criminal conspiracy (§ 89, Art.17, Crime Code (the Czechoslovakian Criminal Code, 1961).{{cite news|url=https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/policie-znovu-zada-o-vydani-poslancu-babise-a-faltynka-chtej/r~8b0c4e5ace9911e79704ac1f6b220ee8/?_ga=2.166510014.123805066.1511207770-1459700410.1511207770/|title=Policie znovu žádá o vydání Babiše a Faltýnka. Systém se mě urputně snaží dostat, říká šéf ANO|trans-title=Czech police again seek to prosecute Babiš and Faltýnek|language=cs}}

Operation Dozimetr was a police operation in June 2022 related to investigation of corruption at Prague City Hall linked primarily to {{ill|Transport Enterprise of the Capital City of Prague|cs|Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy}} (DPP). After more than two years of monitoring, the Police of the Czech Republic carried out a mass raid on the Prague City Hall, at the headquarters of the Transport Enterprises of the Capital City of Prague and at dozens of other places. Eleven of the thirteen defendants were arrested including the then Deputy Mayor of Prague {{ill|Petr Hlubuček|cs}} a member of Mayors and Independents or the influential Zlín businessman {{ill|Michal Redl|cs}} who is the alleged head of the group. The Group was accused, for example, for influencing the public contracts of the Transport Company of the Capital City of Prague (DPP), bribery and efforts to divest assets from DPP and other institutions.

A case in 2009 involved Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanová overpaying for four aeroplanes in a 3.5 billion crown military contract. As a Member of Parliament, Parkanová was immune from criminal prosecution however. Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek was also implicated in the case.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/07/czech-politics|title=Czech corruption continued|newspaper=The Economist|date=9 July 2012|access-date=12 February 2014}}

In June 2012, a former director of the entity in charge of allocating EU funds in the Liberec and Usti and Labem regions was sentenced to 7.5 years imprisonment and a US$40,000 fine after being convicted of bribery in connection with the granting of EU funds.{{cite web|title=Human Rights Report 2012- Czech Republic|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204278|publisher=The US Department of State|access-date=16 December 2013}}

The 2013 Czech political corruption scandal involved an anti-corruption raid, launched by the organised crime unit. It resulted in the arrest of the prime minister's chief of staff, Jana Nagyová, and seven others. The unit also confiscated approximately GBR 5 million in cash and 10 kg of gold found in government offices, banks and private properties. The crimes are suspected to include bribery and abuse of power.{{cite news|title=Czech PM Petr Necas to resign: 'Mr Clean Hands' to quit in effort to end political turmoil over aide spying and corruption scandal|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/czech-pm-petr-necas-to-resign-mr-clean-hands-to-quit-in-effort-to-end-political-turmoil-over-aide-spying-and-corruption-scandal-8661418.html|work=The Independent|access-date=16 December 2013|location=London|first=Charlotte|last=McDonald-Gibson|date=17 June 2013}}

There are many corruption cases related to railway company České dráhy.{{cite web |title=Soud rozdal tresty za manipulaci zakázek Českých drah. Policie případ odhalila díky odposlechům v kauze fotbalové korupce|url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/domaci/soud-rozdal-tresty-za-manipulaci-zakazek-ceskych-drah-policie-pripad-odhalila-diky-odposlechum-v-345038}}{{cite web |title=Šéf z Českých drah odsouzen. V předchozí práci „poslal“ peníze podvodníků|url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-sef-z-ceskych-drah-odsouzen-v-predchozi-praci-poslal-penize-podvodnikum-258535}}

Citizens participation and the values of integrity, accountability, and transparency are crucial components of fighting corruption. It is important to develop programs and actions to change the cultural understanding of corruption and help citizens to act against abuses.{{Cite web|url=http://sior.ub.edu/jspui/cris/socialimpact/socialimpact00460|title=Increase in the number of civil complaints against acts of corruption. [Social Impact]. ALACs. Promotion of Participation and Citizenship in Europe through the "Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs)" of Transparency International (2009-2012). Framework Programme 7 (FP7).|website=SIOR, Social Impact Open Repository}}

{{excerpt|Police corruption|Czech Republic}}

• Crime in the Czech Republic
• International Anti-Corruption Academy
• Group of States Against Corruption
• International Anti-Corruption Day
• ISO 37001 Anti-bribery management systems
• United Nations Convention against Corruption
• OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
• Transparency International

{{reflist|group=Note}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131222072233/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/europe-central-asia/czech-republic/snapshot.aspx Czech Republic Corruption Profile] from the Business Anti-Corruption Portal

{{Czech Republic topics}}

{{Europe topic | Corruption in }}

Category:Politics of the Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Category:Crime in the Czech Republic

Category:Law of the Czech Republic

Category:Economy of the Czech Republic

Category:Government of the Czech Republic

Category:Society of the Czech Republic