Former Motol hospital Director Ludvík Files complaint over pre-trial detention

Miloslav Ludvík, the former director of Motol University Hospital, has filed a constitutional complaint challenging the court’s decision to keep him in custody. His lawyer, Simona Kadlecová, told the Czech News Agency that the courts violated his right to a fair trial, arguing that the rulings lacked clear justification and failed to meet legal standards.

Ludvík has been in pre-trial detention since late February, facing charges of subsidy fraud, harming EU financial interests, accepting bribes, and attempted money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison. The District Court for Prague 5 ordered his detention citing concerns he might flee, continue criminal activity, or influence witnesses. An appeal was later dismissed by the Prague City Court.

Kadlecová criticized the courts for failing to provide concrete evidence supporting these concerns. “The Municipal Court ignored all objections raised in our appeal,” she said. “Neither court provided adequate reasoning, violating my client’s right to a fair trial and unlawfully restricting his personal freedom.”

Court documents reviewed by the Czech News Agency show the district court mistakenly conflated decisions about Ludvík with those of his co-defendant, former deputy director Pavel Budinský. For example, the court referenced bail guarantees offered by Budinský, though Ludvík had instead proposed alternatives such as a travel ban and electronic monitoring.

Kadlecová also accused the court of relying heavily on police reports without thoroughly reviewing surveillance evidence that underpins the case. She rejected claims that Ludvík had foreign ties, stating he neither owns property nor has ever lived abroad.

Ludvík has also filed a complaint challenging the initiation of his prosecution, which remains undecided by the public prosecutor. Similar complaints have been filed by other defendants in the case. Kadlecová noted that defense teams only recently received transcripts of surveillance recordings, despite media leaks suggesting otherwise. “We’re still waiting for access to the original recordings, which are crucial for our defense,” she said, adding that witness interviews are ongoing.

Police allege that Ludvík and Budinský accepted bribes from contractors providing services to the hospital, including construction, cleaning, and maintenance. Prosecutors claim that kickbacks were a precondition for awarding contracts. Co-defendant and lawyer Miroslav Jansta is accused of helping to launder the illicit funds.

Following police raids in February, the Minister of Health removed Ludvík from his post. Authorities have so far seized assets exceeding CZK 100 million from the accused. Ludvík’s appeal against the asset seizure was rejected by the České Budějovice Regional Court.

Source: CTK