Archive: Society | Crime Crime
Czechs hand in 6,300 unlicensed weapons in gun amnesty
The peaceable Czechs don’t seem like a nation of trigger-happy
gun-lovers, but there are actually 650,000 registered gun-owners in this
country, and perhaps as many as another half a million who own weapons
illegally - that’s a lot for a nation of 10 million people. Police say
that more than 6,000 unlicensed guns have so far been handed in in an
amnesty that comes to an end at midnight on Friday.
More
Justice Minister qualifies warning of prison service “collapse” due to overcrowding
The Justice Minister Daniela Kovářová has qualified comments made
earlier this week on overcrowding in the country’s prisons. The comments
came at the end of a two-day inspection trip to penal facilities around the
Czech Republic, and were interpreted by the media as suggesting the Czech
prison system was close to collapse. This is not the case, says Mrs
Kovářová, although the situation is serious.
More
Police clamp down on neo-Nazi protesters around the country
A rise in political extremism in the Czech Republic has been at the centre
of media attention in recent weeks, and the past weekend was no exception.
In the wake of the biggest ever police operation against the country’s
ultra-right groups, far-right radicals took to the streets in a number of
towns and cities to protest against the arrest of ten neo-Nazis.
More
Several charged after police mount biggest operation against Czech neo-Nazis
Political extremism, especially on the far right, has been a big issue in
the Czech Republic over the last six months, with a strong perception that
it is on the rise. It may have been a coincidence, but on Tuesday the
subject was all over the news for a variety of reasons. Police arrested a
number of neo-Nazis and announced the setting up of new riot squads, while
many of the country’s political leaders signed a declaration condemning
extremism. More
Church takes cathedral claim to Constitutional Court
The Czech Catholic Church has filed a complaint with the country’s
Constitutional Court over a 2007 verdict by the Supreme Court according to
which the state is the rightful owner of Prague’s famous St. Vitus
Cathedral. The move is the latest round in a protracted legal battle
between the Church and state over the famous Prague landmark.
More
Romanies call for nation-wide rallies to condemn racist attacks on their community
The Czech Republic’s Romany community is outraged by the recent arson
attack on one of its members which left a two-year-old girl fighting for
her life and rendered eight people homeless overnight. Several Romany
organizations have called on the authorities to stand up to growing
extremism in the country, and are planning a nationwide protest to step up
public opposition to the neo-Nazi movement.
More
Romanies calling on government for protection in the wake of vicious arson attack
Saturday’s vicious attack on a Romany family in Vitkov, north Moravia,
remains at the centre of public and media attention. Although a racial
motif has not been officially confirmed, Romanies in the region say they
fear for their lives and many have criticized the government for allegedly
doing next to nothing to protect the country’s minorities from growing
extremism
More
Police hunt for attackers as two-year-old Roma girl severely burned in alleged arson
A two-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital after a petrol
bomb was apparently thrown through the window of her family home in
Vítkov, north Moravia. The girl is from the Romany or gypsy minority, and
police belief the alleged arson attack could have been racially-motivated.
So far politicians have been united in their condemnation, and the cabinet
is due to discuss racist violence at its meeting on Monday.
More
Former "people's prosecutor" enters prison for 1950 judicial murder
An 87-year-old former “people’s prosecutor” has entered prison to
begin a six-year sentence for her role in one of the most notorious
Communist show-trials of the 1950s, in which democratic politician Milada
Horáková was sent to the gallows on trumped up charges. Ludmila
Brožová-Polednová voluntarily entered prison on Thursday evening, and
will now undergo medical tests to ascertain whether she is fit to serve her
sentence.
More
Czech daily uncovers details of police attack ahead of Vietnamese man’s death
The Czech daily Lidové Noviny released details on Monday which fill out
the circumstances surrounding a Vietnamese man’s death after he was
detained by Brno police. The new information released by the paper points
to him being the victim of a savage attack after drawing on witness
statements and the initial findings of the state prosecutor.
More
+1
+10
