Prague/Olomouc - Přerov investigator Milan Šošovička was recently promoted to head Olomouc's special anti-corruption unit.

Šošovička played a key role in the case against Jiří Čunek. His team's investigation led to an indictment and laid the groundwork for the case revolving around an alleged half-million-crown bribe.

After the case was closed, however, Šošovička became the target of sharp criticism for leading a tendentious investigation. As a result, several people working on the case were forced to leave their posts. Šošovička, on the other hand, has received a promotion.

The head of the anti-corruption police force has refused to explain the advancement. "We won't comment on personnel matters," said Jiří Novák, director of the unit for the detection of corruption and financial crimes. "That isn't the public's business."

Falling heads

Three people have already had to leave their jobs in connection with the Čunek case, including Chief State Attorney of Olomouc Ivo Ištván, whose office oversaw the investigation. His deputy Igor Stříž also left his post.

In April, Vlastimil Studený, head of the Ostava branch of the anti-corruption police and Šošovička's direct supervisor, also resigned. Studený stood behind Šošovička's methods of investigation.

Despite the highly charged situation, Šošovička surprisingly stayed on at his post.

No explanation

Jiří Novák refused to explain how Šošovička earned the promotion in the face of the sharp criticism he received over the Čunek affair.

"He isn't in a position that we would like to comment on," said the head of the anti-corruption police. "Whatever happens with Šošovička this year has nothing to do with Čunek's case."

Still, Šošovička has been forbidden by the police force from providing an explanation. "They have called to tell me that I can't talk to you," said the investigator. "We cannot comment on personnel matters."

According to Šošovička, the promotion is the result of his work. No accusations in the handling of the Čunek case have been confirmed.

Without fault

Šošovička faced the sharpest criticism after Jihlava Public Prosecutor Arif Salichov brought the case against Čunek to a close.

Šošovička was accused of carrying out a biased and one-sided investigation, intimidating witnesses and having an extraordinary relationship with a witness for the prosecution.

The Interior Ministry's inspectorate, however, concluded that the investigator handled the case correctly. This was confirmed after an audit by the Olomouc regional prosecutor.

Unanswered questions

Though the case against Čunek is closed, a number of unanswered questions remain.

An additional five people have been compromised because of their role in the case. Businessman Roman Vaškůj has been accused of trying to pay off a witness for the prosecution.

Vsetín Mayor Jaromír Kudlík is charged with giving false testimony on behalf of Čunek. Conversely, Marcela Urbanová, a witness for the prosecution, is suspected of giving false testimony against Čunek.

Litigation also awaits Supreme Court Judge Pavel Kučera for influencing the investigation.

Luboš Müller is the only person who has already been convicted in relation to the case, for falsely accusing Urbanová of taking a bribe.

Only Jiří Čunek has been definitively cleared in the case, thanks to the interference of the prosecution.