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Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan has called on people not to allow themselves to be manipulated into prejudice and hatred following an incident that occurred on Saturday in Brno, where a man, cited by several sources as being of Ukrainian nationality, stabbed two men, one of whom died as a result of his injuries. The dead man was of Roma origin. According to Seznam Zprávy, the attack has prompted a wave of anti-Ukrainian and xenophobic reactions.

Mr. Rakušan said on Twitter that like all tragic events, this incident has stirred up emotions in people, but called on the public not to allow themselves to be manipulated by those who would use the opportunity to incite hatred and xenophobia. He added that the emotions people are feeling are completely understandable, but using one person's crime to incite hatred and intolerance against an entire group is as reprehensible as the violence itself.

The public prosecutor has proposed a suspended sentence of two and a half years and a fine of CZK 500 000 for former Prime Minister Petr Nečas, and suspended sentences of two years and fines of CZK 400,000 for Mr Nečas's wife and the third defendant in the case, the former deputy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Roman Boček. The trio is being prosecuted for bribery, for which they face up to six years in prison. All deny any blame.

The former prime minister, his then head of cabinet and now wife Jana Nečasová (formerly Nagyová), and Mr Boček promised MPs Mark Šnajdra, Petar Tluchoř and Ivan Fuks lucrative positions in return for giving up their mandate and passing a government tax package. The case contributed to the fall of the Nečas government in 2013.

The former prime minister has already received a one-year probation and a fine of CZK 100 000 for falsely testifying in favour of his wife.

Archaeologists have discovered the cremated remains of more than 80 political prisoners who died between 1948 and 1965 at Prague's Pankrác prison, in the area of the former gallows where the death penalty was carried out between 1947 and 1954. Among the dead were both opponents of the regime who were executed, including soldiers who participated in the anti-communist resistance, as well as people who died in the Pankrác prison hospital.

The archaeological survey of the site took place last October. After organic material was found in the soil, an analysis determined that it was actually the remains of charred bones.

West Ham midfielder Tomáš Souček has won the Golden Ball award for the best Czech footballer of the season for the third time in his career. The 28-year-old national team captain previously clinched the trophy in 2020 and 2021. Fiorentina midfielder Antonín Barák came second in this year’s competition, just one point behind him.

The Golden Ball is awarded each year to the best Czech footballer as decided by a committee of the country’s sports journalists. The results of the poll, now in its 27th year, were announced on Monday.