President pardons two of son's partners

President Michal Kováč told RFE/RL's Slovak Service on July 17 that he pardoned two of his son's former business associates, so they could testify before German courts. Munich police want to question the two men - along with Kováč's son, Michal Kováč Jr. - in connection with the $2.3 million fraud case involving the Bratislava- based Technopol trade firm. Charges have also been filed against the three men in Slovakia, and Slovak border guards recently confiscated Kováč Jr.'s passport when he tried to travel to Germany. The Slovak President said he decided not to pardon his son for the time being in the hope that his passport will be returned and he will be allowed to travel to Germany.