Neovlivní.cz: Dalík leaves country day before start of jail term

Marek Dalík, who was a close advisor of Mirek Topolánek when the latter was prime minister, left the Czech Republic on Wednesday morning, one day before he is due to begin serving a prison term, Neovlivní.cz reported. Mr. Dalík told the news website that the trip had been planned in advance and that he had informed the judge in his case of his intentions. On Thursday afternoon the one-time political operator is due to start a four-year term for soliciting bribes in connection with a large military contract in 2007.

Author: Ian Willoughby