Czech bootleggers find themselves in Kafkesque trial
Slovaks, Poles ban Czech booze as bootleg poisoning scare widens
Slovakia banned the import and sale of Czech spirits on Tuesday after 22 people died in its central European neighbour from drinking bootleg vodka and rum containing poisonous methanol.
The Slovak move followed a similar ban in Poland on Sunday and showed that Czech authorities have not been able to bring their biggest health scare in decades under control.
The Czechs introduced a ban on all liquor containing more than 20 per cent alcohol on Friday, forcing retailers to pull 20 million bottles off the shelves and dealing a blow to pubs and cocktail bars serving locals and tourists alike.
Slovakia followed suit after eight Slovaks were taken into hospital in the eastern town of Presov on Sunday after drinking Czech-made spirits at a party.
“We ... came to a conclusion that it is necessary to prevent further consumption and sales of any Czech-made alcohol in Slovakia,” Slovak Healthcare Minister Zuzana Zvolenska told reporters.
Agriculture Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said the ban would remain in place until Czech authorities gained control of the situation.
Four of the poisoned Slovaks were sent home on Tuesday and the other four were in good condition, the Healthcare Ministry said. Some 700 customs officers were visiting sites across the country together with police to test suspect spirits.
