Archive: Society | Crime Crime
Minister wants ban on physical punishment of children
The majority of Czech parents usually don’t think twice about smacking
their naughty children, and would explain that “to spare the rod is to
spoil the child”. However, this age-old philosophy may soon shake in its
foundations. The minister responsible for human rights and minorities
Džamila Stehlíková has just proposed a ban on smacking children, arguing
that in some cases it can border on child abuse. The public may take some
convincing but many psychologists say that is the way to go. Ruth
Fraňková reports:
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Supreme Court rules in favour of cannabis grower
The Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of a woman who had grown
cannabis for medicinal purposes and who had been previously found guilty of
illegal production and possession of drugs by a lower court. The
breakthrough ruling suggests that growing cannabis is not necessarily the
same thing as marijuana production. Experts believe it could set an
important legal precedent. Ruth Fraňková reports:
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Software developers get tough on pirates
Software developers are teaming up in the Czech Republic to clamp down on
the piracy of their products. Recent statistics show that nearly 40% of
all
programs on Czech computers are not the official, authorized versions.
Now, those who sell unauthorized versions of programs such as Word and
Photoshop can expect to be shown ‘less leniency’ by the software’s
creators. Microsoft is one of the firms leading the anti-piracy drive. I
asked Markéta Mead from the company’s licensing department how big a
problem software piracy currently is in this country: More
Magazine
Kisses in the air – Czechs help set a new record on Valentines’ Day.
Who needs a washing machine? Czech scientists are working on self-cleaning
textiles. And, the strange theft of a railway bridge. Find out more in
Magazine with Daniela Lazarova.
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“Heparin killer” gets life in prison
A court in Hradec Králové sentenced a male nurse to life in prison on
Thursday for murdering seven patients and trying to kill ten more. Petr
Zelenka, 31, will spend the rest of his life behind bars, after being found
guilty of giving lethal injections to patients at a hospital in Havličkův
Brod. The conviction makes him the worst serial killer in the country’s
post-communist history.
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High Court overturns guilty verdict in Milada Horáková murder case
When an 86-year-old former communist prosecutor was convicted last year for
her role in the judicial murder of politician Milada Horáková, those
looking for justice for the crimes committed under communism rejoiced.
There was little chance the elderly and infirm woman would serve a day of
her eight-year prison sentence, but they saw the verdict as a symbolic
victory. But Monday witnessed a turnaround – the conviction was
overturned by the High Court. More
Friends of murdered American petition against suspect’s release
Friends of Mike Murray, an American citizen who was stabbed to death in
Prague last week, have been petitioning against the release of the suspect
– a 27-year-old police officer - from custody. After the suspect was
charged with murder on Thursday, a court in Prague released him, pending
investigation, claiming it had found no reason why the suspect should
await
trial behind bars. More
Magazine
A new restaurant reminiscent of the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
opens in Prague, a young Czech fashion designer makes dresses out of old
cassette tapes and, the shortest ever jail term served in the Czech
Republic. Find out more in Magazine with Daniela Lazarova.
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Police officer held over fatal stabbing of US citizen
A 27-year old Czech police officer is being held over a stabbing in the
early hours of Wednesday, which resulted in the death a US citizen. The
incident happened sometime after 1 am, after the officer, who was off-duty
and apparently drunk, made obscene gestures at a passing car. The American
driver stopped and got out of his vehicle, resulting in a quarrel which led
to the fatal attack.
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Court rules Catholic Church is solely responsible for altar wine
Only the Roman Catholic Church is authorized to decide what wine can be
labelled sacramental, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Tuesday. In
a lawsuit filed by a wine-producing company against the Church, the court
said that the Church has autonomy to decide which wine may be used in
Catholic worship.
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