News

Czech police were part of an international operation that busted an organized crime ring operating across the EU, the ctk news agency reported. Together with colleagues from France, Spain and Europol, they uncovered an organized crime group involved in widespread theft and trucking in countries around the EU, including Czechia. According to a police spokesperson, the group used fictitious companies to steal and re-sell goods to the tune of 15 million euros. The stolen goods ended up on the black market in various parts of the European Union and outside the European continent. Nine suspects , including the ring-leader, have been charged with theft, fraud and tax evasion.

Czech cyber security experts are warning the public about data risks linked to the app BaiRBIE.me that alters users' photos to make them look like Barbie or Ken dolls. People who want to see what they would look like as the famous dolls are requested to send their photo and provide sensitive date about their facial features, hair, skin and eye colour as well as an email to which the resulting photo will be sent. At the same time, they agree to waive any claims to their private data which can then be resold to a third party.

Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Marian will attend talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this weekend aimed at preparing the ground for an international peace summit on Ukraine. Over forty countries are taking part in the talks which should agree on the date, venue and agenda of the summit, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Thursday, citing a representative of the Ukrainian presidential office. The summit would build on a 10-point plan outlined by Kyiv last autumn that has been actively promoted by President Zelensky. His vision for peace calls for the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a withdrawal of all Russian troops, the protection of food and energy security, nuclear safety, the release of all prisoners, and other points. According to the Czech deputy foreign minister, Czechia is ready to offer assistance especially in the area of nuclear security and prosecution of Russian war crimes.

President Petr Pavel has appointed Josef Baxa the new head of the Constitutional Court. In a ceremony at Prague Castle on Friday, the president said that the authority and respect that the top court in the land has among the public stems from the elite group of judges that are appointed to it. He said Judge Baxa is one of the most highly respected and experienced judges in the land, adding that he had been impressed by his performance at the head of the Supreme Administrative Court. Judge Baxa will replace Pavel Rychetsky as the new president of the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.

President Pavel also appointed Kateřina Ronovská to the panel of constitutional court judges. She is to serve as Baxa’s deputy.