As part of the police investigation, the region claimed to be the injured party, so that it would be entitled to recover money for damages and other costs for rehabilitating the area from potential perpetrators, if anyone is convicted.
“According to the expert opinion, the amount of damage incurred is 1.5 billion crowns,” confirmed to Novinkám the spokesman of the police presidium, Jakub Vinčálek, according to whom, in view of the scope and complexity of the case, expert opinions will continue to be refined and the value may change.
Photo: Radek Plavecký, Novinky
The former military area near Milovice has not been cleaned even after decades. Asbestos contamination is being investigated by the police.
“The Central Bohemian Region was informed that, according to an expert’s opinion, not only the surface layer of the location of the former military area is contaminated with asbestos, but also the subsurface layer, which was caused by improper remediation and by leaving it in place for almost ten years,” added Vinčálek.
Photo: Radek Plavecký, Novinky
Remnants of the Soviet occupation near Milovice in Nymburk are still visible.
The territory in Milovice was contaminated with asbestos. The police intervene at the regional office
Crime
No one has been charged yet
The experts concluded that the asbestos burden would have to be eliminated by removing the entire layer of soil. Investigators are trying to find out who is responsible for such pollution. No one has been charged yet.
The Central Bohemian region leased land to the Mladá RP company in 2010, with the condition that the company was to ensure the demolition of three hundred buildings, clean the area and ensure the lease or sale of the land. “All construction rubble was therefore the property of Mladá RP,” said regional councilor for property Libor Lesák (ODS).
Photo: Radek Plavecký, Novinky
The former military area has not been cleaned even after decades.
The company was originally supposed to use the area for 40 years, for which it paid 25 million crowns in advance. However, the region terminated the company’s contract in 2016 due to non-compliance with the demolition deadlines. The company countered that it had not breached the terms of the contract, and a series of lawsuits and settlement negotiations were ongoing by 2021.
The final agreement was only concluded in 2021, when the region agreed with the Mladá RP company, according to councilor Lesák, to pay the sum of 92 million as compensation for unjust enrichment. “According to this contract, the company was obliged to ensure the site was cleared of construction debris,” added Lesák.
Photo: Radek Plavecký, Novinky
Instead of ecological disposal, the crushed and scattered asbestos appeared on various plots of land.
At your own risk
The carcinogenic substance was used for roofing or even in the masonry of former Soviet buildings. Instead of ecological disposal, the crushed and scattered asbestos appeared on various properties, which are now accessible only at your own risk, according to the county. The county is talking about nine contaminated parcels, which represents tens of hectares.
“The airport area or the area of the nature reserve are not part of the contaminated area,” said the councilor.
Photo: Radek Plavecký, Novinky
Contaminated land is now accessible only at your own risk.
The Mladá RP company rejects the blame for land pollution. According to the manager Oldřich Fiala, they took the dangerous eternite from the demolished buildings to the landfills. “I have absolutely no fear that we will be prosecuted. We did our job,” Fiala told the Seznam Zprávy server some time ago.
According to him, the asbestos probably comes from black dumps or was fraudulently transported there by the companies with which Mladá RP cooperated on the demolitions. But they also deny the blame.
The police should unblock the land in the near future, so that the region can submit assessments again and prepare a new rehabilitation.
Less asbestos, less cancer. The new rules and the register will also protect the Czech Republic
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