Kalousek criticises police for accusing Parkanová

Prague, June 14 (CTK) - The request for stripping Czech Chamber of Deputies deputy head Vlasta Parkanova (TOP 09) of immunity to enable her prosecution is an example of the police's arbitrary behaviour, TOP 09 first deputy chairman Miroslav Kalousek said yesterday.

The police accuse Parkanova (TOP 09) of abuse of public office and breach of trust when she was defence minister in 2007-2009 in connection with the 3.5 billion crown contract on the purchase of three Spanish-made transport CASA planes and the swap of a fourth for Czech-made L-159 combat planes.

Finance Minister Kalousek told reporters that the justification of Parkanova's accusation by a missing independent expert opinion on the CSA planes' purchase can be compared to witchcraft charges.

The police put the damage caused to the state at 658 million crowns since Parkanova in her capacity as defence minister did not order an expert opinion to verify the price of the CASA aircraft.

Kalousek reiterated that the military as well as the Interior Ministry and intelligence services have their own experts to assess orders and that independent analyses cannot be worked out among others over sensitive data.

If Parkanova were accused, the other defence ministers and intelligence services chiefs would have to be accused, too, he added.

Kalousek said independent lawyers's stance on the case must be secured first.

He said he expected the Chamber of Deputies mandate and immunity committee that would deal with the police request next Wednesday to recommend further steps.

The police asked the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament, to release Parkanova for prosecution on Wednesday.

Parkanova insists she did nothing illegal in the case.

The junior ruling TOP 09 stood up for Parkanova on Wednesday.

The senior government Civic Democrats (ODS) deputies are waiting for the mandate and immunity committee's recommendation, ODS deputy group head Zbynek Stanjura said.

According to the former government Public Affairs (VV) party, Parkanova should ask the lower house for her release herself.

"We expect TOP 09 to behave in the same way as in other cases," deputy Michal Babak told reporters.

He referred to the Tuesday vote on the release of VV deputy Otto Chaloupka (VV) for prosecution on suspicion of accepting bribes. TOP 09 deputies voted unanimously for his release then.

However, VV deputies, too, are waiting for the mandate and immunity committee's recommendation, Babak added.

($1=20.405 crowns)