News

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) has recorded more than 200 DDoS attacks by Russian-speaking hacktivist groups. These cyberattacks have mostly targeted public institutions and the financial sector, NÚKIB spokesperson Alžběta Dvořáková said.

The attacks often come in response to Czech officials’ declarations of support for Ukraine. According to NÚKIB, many of these hacktivist groups operate in line with the interests of specific states, especially Russia, and their activities have intensified since the war began.

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the Regional Court in Brno violated the rights of a young victim by giving her stepfather a suspended sentence for rape and child pornography. Although the Constitutional Court did not overturn the verdict, it emphasized its limited powers and noted the victim may now seek compensation from the state.

The case sparked public outrage. The offender had forced the girl into sex up to five times a week for over a year. The court stressed that any future conditional sentence for sexual crimes must be properly justified and called for systemic reforms to protect victims.

The Czech government discussed changes to how critical infrastructure operators are designated, aiming to strengthen their security. The Interior Ministry wants to regulate them under a new law, separate from the current critical infrastructure legislation, in line with EU requirements.

Also on the agenda were plans for the first-ever postal voting by Czechs abroad in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Ministers reviewed a list of countries where unreliable mail services will prevent this option. Other issues included creating a government envoy for the Balkans, changes to waste and battery laws, and boosting investment fund resources.

The Pirate Party and far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy Party will support a special parliamentary session on the Czech Army’s long-term strategy to 2035, scheduled for Wednesday. Pirates leader Jakub Michálek said his party would push for a unified resolution, stressing that national security should not be politicized. SPD’s Radovan Vích, however, sees little chance of consensus. President Petr Pavel is expected to attend, underlining the issue’s importance, according to ANO Party's Alena Schillerová. The Pirates advocate increasing defense spending and supporting a future peace mission in Ukraine. Freedom and Direct Democracy Party proposes its own resolution focused on military staffing and structural reform without raising the budget.