BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Slovak prosecutors are to charge 11 former members of the country's main privatization agency with embezzlement, Markiza Television reported Monday.
The charges relate to alleged abuses between 1995 and 1998 which cost the country some $3 million. During that period, Slovakia was ruled by Vladimir Meciar, an authoritarian populist whose antics made the country a pariah in the eyes of the West.
Vast sections of Slovak industry were also privatized to cronies. Among the many incidents for which the 11 former members of the National Property Fund are being investigated was the sale of 36 residential apartments. If convicted the 11 could face jail terms of up to 12 years.
The reformist government, which came to power in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002, has made great efforts to clean up Slovakia's image and to right past wrongs.
