News

A group of Czech deputies has begun a visit to Czech army units in Afghanistan. Ten members of the lower house’s foreign affairs and security committee have travelled to the war-torn state just ahead of a vote on whether to increase the number of Czech soldiers there. The government wants to increase from 415 to 645 membership of a provincial reconstruction team in Lowgar province. If Wednesday’s vote passes, 100 specialised soldiers will also fight the Taliban as part of the US-led Enduring Freedom campaign. Deputies will also consider whether to maintain the Czech mission of 550 soldiers in Kosovo.

The Czech Rail Safety Inspection Office has given a million crown fine to the Ostrava Transport Authority for failing to act on the dangers of a local tram route, which saw a deadly collision this year. A year earlier, the route saw a number of near-misses on a section of single-track that went unreported. This year, tragedy on the route was not averted: three people were killed and dozens injured when trams collided in April. It is the second time inspectors have handed down the fine: Ostrava’s Transport Authority successfully appealed the first decision with the Transport Ministry. The Czech Rail Safety Inspection Office has now provided additional information in the case.

Former prime minister Stanislav Gross, who stepped down over a scandal involving unexplained finances in 2005 after just nine months in office, successfully completed his bar exam on Monday. It was Mr Gross’s second attempt after he failed to first pass the exam in March.

Three Prague police officers face charges for the alleged abuse of power involving blackmail. The three allegedly blackmailed a driver stopped on the road earlier in the year without a driver’s licence. The man was then taken to a remote location, where he was reportedly threatened by the officers before he handed over 10 thousand crowns. The case will now go to court.