Prague - Czech anti-corruption police has started criminal prosecution of six former managers of MUS, a North Bohemian coal company, for the firm's privatization that took place in the late-1990s.
Alexandra Rudysarova, spokeswoman for the group of ex-managers, said that her clients have received the charges.
However, Rudysarova claimed that the charges are "illegal" and unrelated to the privatization process. She added that the group will file a complaint against the charges.
Czech police has investigated the MUS privatization for many years on suspicion of tax evasion and other economic crimes.
The investigation was closed in 2008 but reopened the following year by then-Supreme State Attorney Renata Vesecka.
Swiss connection
At the same time, the MUS privatization has been investigated by Swiss authorities. In 2011, Swiss prosecutors filed charges against seven former managers of MUS and Appian Group. The group consists of six Czech citizens and a Belgian national.
Czech authorities will not join Swiss MUS case yet
Czech Rep won't extradite "coal barons" to Switzerland
In January 2012, the information provided by Swiss authorities prompted the Czech prosecutors to start investigate the possibility of bribe-taking during the privatization process.
A Swiss court returned the case to the prosecution in April 2012, asking it to collect more evidence.
