Journalists: Member of president’s circle is being considered for access to live intel operations

The Czech government is planning to select members of a supervisory group that will have access to details on live operations conducted by Czech intelligence services, news outlets Aktuálně.cz and Respekt warn. Among the candidates is Václav Pelikán, the head of legislation in President Miloš Zeman’s administration, according to the journalists.

The issue is considered sensitive, because President Zeman is a long-term opponent of the work of the Czech civilian counterintelligence service (BIS) and has tried to gain access to live BIS operations in the past.

The president’s spokesman, Jiří Ovčáček, as well as Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, have not commented on whether Mr. Pelikan was selected following a request from Prague Castle, Aktuálně.cz reported on Friday. According to Interior Minister Jan Hamáček, Mr. Pelikán was picked as a candidate by his own deputy, Jiří Nováček.

Once the government selects the candidates, the Chamber of Deputies will vote to select the final composition of the supervisory group, which will be made up of five people. The supervisory group will have a five year mandate.