PRAGUE -- The travails of Czech TV exec Vladimir Zelezny have taken a new turn.
Courts in France and the Czech Republic last week ordered seizure of property belonging to the Nova TV general manager following an international arbitration ruling that Zelezny must pay $27 million to CME (Central European Media Enterprises), the company that financed the launch of Nova TV.
On Friday, a Czech judge, court police and a lawyer representing CME blocked entry to the private gallery where the public can view Zelezny's art collection by appointment.
Moving on to Zelezny's registered address, the group gained forced entry and made a list of the property in the sparsely furnished flat.
The Czech judge gave CME the right to seize all movable objects, all known public shareholdings (including 12% of Nova TV) and bank accounts in Zelezny's name.
French police put a hold on property in a chateau in Brittany. CME removed material goods including furniture, a piano and French paintings. Meanwhile, there were reports of vans carting off painting-sized cartons the day before the judge arrived.
Zelezny, one of the wealthiest men in the Czech Republic, reportedly maintains both a comfortably appointed midtown apartment and a villa in Prague's exclusive embassy district.
Late Friday night, CME served claims against these properties which Zelezny has transferred to other parties. Fraudulent transfers to avoid creditors are a crime under Czech law.
A spokesman for Zelezny said it was not necessary to execute the orders for seizure of property, since Zelezny has publicly stated he will pay the $27 million within the next five to seven weeks.
In a separate move, tax officials are searching for evidence of $5.5million tax evasion between 1995 and 1998 when Zelezny allegedly failed to report income from CME consulting fees, share trading and waiving repayment of a $4.7 million CME loan.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com