Architects suspect the leadership of Ostrava of corruption due to Karolina

OSTRAVA - A group of Polish architects suspects some members of the leadership of the city of Ostrava of corrupt behavior, their legal representative Siomona Pavlicová said today to reporters. The Polish architects won an international competition several years ago for the future design of one of the most lucrative locations in the center of Ostrava - Karolina. However, the city ultimately withdrew from this concept, and the councilors decided today to announce a development competition. The police are investigating the case.
According to Pavlicová, the city leadership allegedly manipulated the zoning plan for the benefit of one of the investors for a fee. However, she claims she currently has no direct evidence available.
The head of the anti-corruption department in Ostrava, Vlastimil Studený, confirmed that the police are dealing with the case. However, they are not investigating corruption but possible amendments to the zoning plan. Due to the early stage of the investigation, he declined to provide any further details.
The mayor of Ostrava, Aleš Zedník (ČSSD), left a press conference today after being asked about the possibility of corruption by one of the reporters. "I want to hear you apologize for such questions, Mr. Colleague, or you will leave this room," Zedník responded just before his departure.
The city has long been at odds with the Polish architects over the future design of Karolina. The architects are also displeased with the new competition for the entire area. Furthermore, the Czech Chamber of Architects sent a statement to the city on Tuesday, claiming that this is a covert irregular architectural competition that most likely circumvents the law. Nevertheless, the councilors approved the development competition, which is set to begin in December, with results expected by mid-next year.
Polish architects, who won the international competition a few years ago and succeeded among 90 other applicants, have previously accused the city of only serving the interests of investors.