A former head of a labour office in Piešťany, Slovakia, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for taking a bribe in the form of a bag of vegetables.
Local media reports.
The court imposed such a severe punishment because she worked in the civil service, where discipline is required. In this case, the size of the bribe does not matter.
She received the bribe from a woman who was applying for a subsidy. She brought radishes and tomatoes to the official. The convict argued in court that it was not a bribe. She said that the food was handed over for tasting. But the court did not believe this argument as another witness claimed that he handed her the chocolates and wine for a judgement on a matter.
The woman was also banned from holding certain positions for five years.
