The court concluded that Josef Šoltys, 42, died at the hands of officers Jaroslav Kraft and Zdeněk Pihýr. But the case languished for years, with a total of three trials, because prosecutors were unable to prove which of the two cops delivered the blow that ultimately killed Šoltys.

In a July 31 ruling, the court set Kraft and Pihýr free.

"Czech law does not recognize collective responsibility and therefore they cannot be convicted," the state attorney on the case, Libor Řeřicha, told The Prague Post.

Had they been convicted, the two would have faced 10 years in prison.

The case involves an incident in November 1994 near the village of Těškov, outside Prague. Šoltys, a bit tipsy after visiting a local pub, was pulled over on his way to a nearby pond, his family said.

Police said that when they stopped Šoltys, he attempted to drive away. A fight soon broke out. Eight hours later, Šoltys died in hospital due to internal injuries, including a ruptured spleen and colon.

During the case's most recent trial, which ended July 31, the court once again concluded that Šoltys received his injuries from Kraft and Pihýr.

The court could not decide, however, whether one of them or both were responsible for Šoltys' death.

Řeřicha added that the state intends to appeal the court's decision. Kraft and Pihýr were law enforcement officers, Řeřicha said, and should at least be charged with abuse of power.

The lawyer for Šoltys' wife, Tomáš Horák, said the court decision was an attempt to minimize an ugly reality.

"From the very beginning, it was clear that some policemen were trying to hamper the investigation," said Horák, who has been involved with the case for two years.

Šoltys' family also condemned the decision, saying the court was focusing on Šoltys' behavior rather than investigating the officers's actions.

"The judge has no interest in solving this case," said Šoltys' in-law Ludvík Bauer.