A former Czech defense minister went on trial Monday in a high profile corruption probe that includes allegations of bribery from a former U.S. ambassador.
Martin Bartak has been charged with bribery and faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted by Prague’s Municipal Court.
The case dates to 2010 when the former U.S. Ambassador William Cabaniss accused Bartak of demanding $5 million in 2008 to solve a problem with a supplier that threatened a $150 million deal for Czech truckmaker Tatra AS.
Cabaniss, who was ambassador to Prague from 2003 to 2006, was chairman of Tatra’s supervisory board.
Bartak has denied any wrongdoing.
It is not clear when a verdict can be expected.
Source: usatoday
