Charter 77 to award corruption whistle-blower

Prague, April 8 (CTK) - The Charter 77 Foundation will give the annual Frantisek Kriegel Civic Bravery Medal to Libor Michalek, the State Environmental Fund's (SFZP) former head who warned of manipulation of European subsidies in the Czech Republic, Indira Bornova, from the foundation, told CTK Friday.

The Charter 77 Foundation has decided to appreciate him for his "brave, systematic and intransigent struggle against corruption in the civil service," Bornova said, adding that the award-giving ceremony would be held in the residence of the Prague mayor on May 25.

Michalek made undercover recordings that allegedly proved corruption at the SFZP in connection with a tender for the reconstruction of a huge Prague water treatment plant in 2010.

He claimed there was a threat of the project being overpriced by three billion crowns.

Michalek informed then environment minister Pavel Drobil (senior government Civic Democrats, ODS), but was dismissed on December 14. Drobil himself resigned one day later.

The Charter 77 Foundation said as early as 1996 when Michalek worked at the National Property Fund (FNM) he criticised slow privatisation of banks and embezzlement. Due to this, he was sacked.

He turned to a court that ruled to his benefit.

Michalek later helped compensate the investors afflicted by financial crime, Charter 77 Foundation said.

"It has been proved that Libor Michalek has been siding with law and democracy," the Charter 77 Foundation said.

"Despite his statement that he would never find a good job in this country, not Michalek, but Drobil fell, although the latter is still in the leadership of the strongest government party," the Charter 77 Foundation said.

Michalek is still involved in the struggle against corruption, thus becoming an "outstanding figure," it added.

The Charter 77 Foundation has been giving its awards since 1987. It is named after Frantisek Kriegel, a late Communist leader who was the only one to have refused the Moscow agreement that put an end to the Prague Spring reform movement in 1968.