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AdamG
01-14-2012, 06:43 PM
THE Government has launched a forensic audit to establish how proceeds from forfeited and sold property by the defunct Task Force on Corruption were used.

Meanwhile, three Czech nationals who were arrested last year in October for espionage have left the country after they were "granted bail".

The Czech nationals were arrested for spying on the country’s army barracks.
http://www.times.co.zm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4224:state-launches-forensic-audit-of-forfeited-property&catid=46:other-headlines




LUSAKA Jan 14 (Reuters) - Three Czechs who were arrested and charged with espionage in Zambia "escaped from custody" and returned to their country, Zambia state radio reported on Saturday, quoting home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni.

Th Czech Foreign Ministry said on Jan. 1, the three had returned home, but did not provide further details.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFB33292720120114



The minister said Government has engaged the Czech Republic Embassy in Zimbabwe to ensure that the accused are brought back into the country to face the law.
“Information received from the Czech Republic indicates that the trio was spotted in that country,” Mr Sakeni said.
And in an interview at his office on Wednesday, Mr Bwalya of KBF and Partners said the trio’s action shows total disrespect for the Zambian judicial system.
“The Czechs were my clients but I’m extremely disappointed with their action. It’s total disrespect for our judicial system,” Mr Bwalya said.
He said his law firm was ready to defend them in court but they opted to jump bail.
“I was very disappointed to learn on the internet through Reuters that the Czechs had some how travelled back to their country,” Mr Bwalya said.
He said it will be fine with him if the court issues a bench warrant for the arrest of the Czechs through Interpol.
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.php/politics/2885-espionage-charged-czechs-jump-bail

I think I've seen this movie before... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji7-p2GMbWA)

davidbfpo
01-14-2012, 07:06 PM
This sounds more like the Zambian perception of espionage is way off-target and a reminder of the Czech and others historical suspicion of train-spotters being spies. Not to overlook the Greeks and aircraft spotters a few years ago.

I doubt if any nation has an intelligence requirement for a Zambian Army barracks, let alone the Czechs (or were they not really Czechs?).

AdamG
01-14-2012, 07:55 PM
I doubt if any nation has an intelligence requirement for a Zambian Army barracks, let alone the Czechs (or were they not really Czechs?).

Did you click the movie link? :cool:

Historical Reference Point #1 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3330621.stm)

Historical Reference Point #2 (http://world-news.mpelembe.net/home/captain-solo-zambia-1997-coup-plotter-released-from-jail)

..and just for giggles (http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/?p=29109&cpage=1)

Most likely, they were dumb#### touristas but African militaries are notorious for being super-squirrelly about photographing their stuff: might steal the soul out of that rusting MiG or sumpin'.

nb: you did notice the little " finger motions (http://static.moviefanatic.com/images/gallery/dr-evil-photo.jpg) I made in the headline, yes? :wry:

BushrangerCZ
01-16-2012, 05:14 PM
Intelligence services were involved, they said that on TV:-). And yes they were definately Czechs, I guess nobody would bother to stage their parents crying on evening news.