Interior minister: Czech thieves show solidarity, unlike foreign counterparts

After a number of foreign nationals were arrested on suspicion of looting in flood-affected areas, the minister of the interior, Radek John, said that Czech thieves were relatively honourable. Mr John told the Czech News Agency that Czech thieves showed solidarity with their fellow citizens and did not loot, unlike the foreigners who had been arrested. Three Poles and two Romanians were taken into custody on looting charges in north Bohemia on Monday night. Sentences for theft during and after natural disasters are stiffer than at other times, and the five could receive jail terms of up to eight years if found guilty. Three Czech Romanies were detained on suspicion of looting on Tuesday night, police said.