Government to amend, rather than scrap, foreign-power offence

The government of Andrej Babiš (ANO) has decided to amend, rather than abolish, the criminal offence of unauthorised activities on behalf of a foreign power, despite pledging to scrap it in its program statement.

The offence, introduced by the previous government of Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats), was designed to allow the prosecution of activities such as collecting sensitive but unclassified information. It currently carries a prison sentence of one to five years if the activity is intended to threaten or harm the constitutional order.

ANO had criticised the offence as too broadly defined. Justice Minister Jeroným Tejc (ANO) said the ministry plans to submit an amendment in October, although its final scope has yet to be decided.