Lower house approves nomination of Pavel Kříž for head of military police

The defence and security committee of the lower house of the Czech Parliament has approved lawyer Pavel Kříž as the head of the Czech Military Police. The 37-year-old lawyer was nominated for the post by Defence Minister Martin Stropnický. However, former Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Petr Pavel, was against the appointment, arguing that it would breach the common career ladder. Other opponents also said he was too young for the post and lacked combat experience. The current head of the military police, Milan Schulc, is set to get a post abroad.