Three people are charged over a cut rate sale of platinum mesh from state reserve, with the especially grave crime of violating duties when administering other people’s property. If convicted, they face 10 to 15 years in prison.
“The head of the committee to open and evaluate bids in electronic auctions, a member of this committee, and an expert on machinery have been charged,” Police Presidium spokesman Michal Slivka told TASR March 26. "The charged failed to secure an adequate selling price of the platinum mesh in the auction, by which they acted in conflict with the lawful duty of the State Material Reserve Administration to handle the property of state with maximum care.”
The administration of the State Material Reserves led by Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) nominee Eva Hrinková repeatedly broke the law when selling platinum mesh to a company belonging to Michal Hudoba, an SDKÚ candidate in the 2010 elections. The inspection found that the administration breached the law when it invited possible bidders to take part in the sale via the web. Moreover, it acted illegally when selecting an expert to assess the value of the platinum being sold, the Sme daily wrote in 2011. The platinum mesh is probably already abroad.
The expert assessed the general value of the platinum mesh at €81,270 ignoring the fact that the material for the production is platinum and rhodium. “This resulted in the mesh being sold for €667,656, although the market value is at least €2,895,490,” Slivka said as quoted by TASR.
(Source: TASR, Sme)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
