Police detain lobbyist Ivo Rittig

Police on Friday detained notorious political wheeler and dealer Ivo Rittig. The move followed proceedings initiated by Supreme State Attorney Lenka Bradáčová that lobbyist Rittig and four others be detained in custody because of the risk that they would leave the country. A Prague court decided on Thursday to give passports back to the five accused. Rittig faces charges of money laundering in a case centred on dubious payments by Prague city’s transport company for printing tickets to a firm registered in the Virgin Islands, a notorious and secretive tax haven. A court later refused the application for the five to be detained in custody.

Author: Chris Johnstone