Prague - Police asked the Chamber of Deputies to release its member, former Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova, for criminal prosecution.
Parkanova is investigated for the suspicious CZK 3.6 billion acquisition of four CASA aircraft by the Czech army that took place when she was the defense minister.
The opposition Social Democratic Party and Communists have already said they will most likely vote for allowing the criminal prosecution of Parkanova.
In addition, the Social Democratic Party has asked Parkanova to resign from the position of Deputy Chairwoman of the Chamber of Deputies.
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The two opposition parties control 80 from the 200 seats in the lower chamber. And the 12-member Public Affairs deputy club will almost certainly join them in the vote.
After the deputy club of TOP 09 discussed the issue on Friday 15 June, it appears that as much as one third of the club members may vote to strip Parkanova of her political immunity.
"We will wait for the suggestion of the immunity committee and legal analysis. But generally, we are in favor of releasing deputies (for criminal prosecution) in clear cases," said TOP 09 deputy club chairman Patr Gazdik.
There is no dominant opinion on the issue in the senior government Civic Democratic Party's deputy club.
Last week, the Chamber of Deputies allowed the criminal prosecution of David Rath.
Deputies allow criminal prosecution of David Rath
CASA aircraft deal
The CASA aircraft was selected by the Defense Ministry in 2009 without any tendering procedure.
Police say that then-Defense Minister Parkanova failed to order a price analysis, and the Treasury eventually lost CZK 658 million in the overpriced acquisition.
Other European countries such as Portugal bought the same aircraft for half the price.
The acquisition was approved by the Topolanek government after it had already resigned, but before it was formally replaced by PM Jan Fisher's caretaker cabinet.
