Prague court halts prosecution against one-time advisor to former environment minister accused of corruption

A court in Prague 1 has halted criminal prosecution against Martin Knetig, one-time advisor to former Environment Minister Pavel Drobil. The office of the state attorney said on Tuesday it had received the court decision and would consider whether to file a complaint. Mr Knetig was accused of corruption after allegedly demanding a bribe from a bank officer in connection with depositing the State Environmental Fund’s money into a number of unspecified banks in 2010. Former Environment Minister Pavel Drobil, now deputy chairman of the Civic Democrats, distanced himself from his former advisor over the affair, saying Mr Knetig had not acted on his instructions. Mr Drobil has rejected allegations he was implicated in the matter.