Ďuričko to be allowed to apply for release on bail

Hotel-owner Bohumír Ďuričko, in custody for the murder of Václav Kočka, jr, the son of a close associate of Social Democrat leader Jiří Paroubek, will be allowed to apply for release on bail. The spokeswoman for the Prague public prosecutor’s office made the announcement on Friday, saying the prosecution had found there was no longer a threat Mr Ďuričko might try to influence witnesses. On the other hand, she maintained there was still a danger of potential escape. Mr Ďuričko could apply for bail as early as next week. On Thursday, the Kočka family, rejected an apology by the hotelier for his actions: the victim, Václav Kočka, jr, was shot to death in front of witnesses at a Prague restaurant earlier this month.