Social Democrat under suspicion of having forged lustration certificate

A member of the ruling Social Democratic Party's executive committee, Marian Kus, has been asked by members of the party's Moravian and Silesian Committee to temporarily give up his post. Mr Kus, listed as a collaborator with the Communist-era secret police, is under suspicion of having forged a lustration certificate in order to clear his name. Prominent Social Democrat leaders like deputy leader Lubomir Zaoralek have expressed dismay over the charge, saying if proven it would make it unacceptable for Mr Kus to remain within party ranks.

Mr Kus himself has not responded to the charge, failing to attend a meeting of the regional executive committee on Monday. He sent only a phone text message explaining he was not in the country.

Author: Jan Velinger