POLICE have launched criminal proceedings in the alleged covert privatization of national carrier Slovak Airlines (SA) by Austrian Airlines (AUA), based on a motion filed by MP Branislav Opaterný of the Free Forum party.
In January last year, AUA gained a 62-percent stake in SA with the agreement of Transport Minister Pavol Prokopovič after guaranteeing a Sk200 million (€5.3 million) loan that SA took to avoid bankruptcy.
AUA then increased SA's basic capital by Sk114.6 million (€3 million), giving them a majority control of SA, the SME daily reported.
According to Opaterný, in countenancing the transaction, Prokopovič damaged state interests.
"They sold state property without a proper cabinet or parliamentary decision," Opaterný said.
