Court rejects Metrostav plea deal in corruption case involving governor Půta

The Liberec Regional Court has rejected a plea deal between construction giant Metrostav and the public prosecutor in a high-profile corruption case involving Liberec governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region). The case, centered around allegations of contract manipulation and bribery, also implicates several Metrostav employees. The court’s decision came after Metrostav had sought to resolve the charges through an agreement on guilt and punishment, a deal the company reached with the prosecutor but which the court ultimately dismissed.

“The conditions for approving the agreement are not met,” presiding judge Pavel Pachner said during today’s hearing. He noted that while the agreement could still be considered later, several factors weighed against its approval at this stage.

Reasons for the Court’s Rejection

Judge Pachner outlined multiple reasons for the decision, one of which was the absence of an acknowledgment of guilt from individuals linked to the company. “It is not enough for the legal entity to simply admit guilt; there must be accountability from individuals to whom the offense is attributed,” he explained. Representatives for Metrostav have consistently denied any wrongdoing in court.

Another concern raised by the court was the impact of the deal on other defendants. Accepting the agreement could create a presumption of guilt for individuals involved in related proceedings, which would likely extend the legal process even further.

The judge also questioned the timing of the plea deal, suggesting that such agreements typically make sense at the outset of legal proceedings, not when a case is already nearing its conclusion. “The deal is not suited for a case with such substantial evidence already presented,” Pachner said.

Governor Půta’s Response

Governor Martin Půta, who has maintained his innocence throughout the case, welcomed the court’s rejection of the agreement. He criticized the proposed deal as a mutually beneficial arrangement between the prosecutor and Metrostav. “This agreement would have allowed Metrostav to receive a light punishment and regain access to public contracts, while the prosecutor could claim success after a decade of legal battles,” Půta remarked on social media.

Case Background

The case revolves around two major projects in Liberec, including the reconstruction of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, where Metrostav allegedly rigged contracts and promised inflated European subsidies. Metrostav and its subsidiary, Metrostav Infrastructure, are accused of bribing Governor Půta with CZK 530,000 to ensure the project remained eligible for subsidies, a claim Půta has repeatedly denied.

In total, 13 individuals and five companies have been charged in connection with the broader corruption scandal, which dates back to 2012–2014. The court has now concluded the evidence phase of the trial, with final arguments scheduled to begin in January 2025.

Looking Ahead

Although Metrostav’s plea deal was rejected, the company’s legal troubles are far from over. Prosecutors had proposed a fine of approximately CZK 55 million and a three-year ban on the company’s involvement in public tenders as part of the plea agreement. The details of the next steps in the trial will likely emerge in the coming months as the court prepares for final arguments and sentencing.

Governor Půta, who faces charges of accepting a bribe and abusing his public office, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He remains one of the nine defendants still standing trial after several others reached their own plea agreements earlier in the case.

The legal saga, which has already spanned over a decade, continues to cast a shadow over local politics in Liberec, with more proceedings expected in the new year.

Source: CTK