Thousands rally against billionaire Czech PM Andrej Babis, accused by his own son in fraud scandal
- Andrej Babis’ son says he was forced to leave the Czech Republic against his will, to thwart an investigation into his father
Thousands protested in Prague on Thursday against embattled Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis after his son said he was forcibly sent abroad to thwart a fraud inquiry into his father.
Babis, a former Communist, is facing criminal charges over alleged EU subsidy fraud as well as allegations that he collaborated with the secret police in the 1980s when former Czechoslovakia was under Moscow’s control.
His son from his first marriage has told Czech media he was sent abroad against his wishes to hinder the fraud probe, prompting opposition parties to unite this week in seeking a no-confidence motion against Babis’s cabinet.
“I think it’s unacceptable to have a prime minister who is facing criminal charges, who is a former Communist police agent, a former Communist Party member,” Eva Pospichalova, a retired doctor, said at the rally.
Protesters against billionaire Babis, whom Forbes pegs as the second wealthiest Czech citizen, waved banners calling on him to resign.
