News

Two former officers of Czechoslovakia's communist-era secret police (StB), who persecuted actor Tomáš Töpfer because of his political views and Jewish background, have received two-year suspended prison sentences under plea agreements with prosecutors. The agreements were approved by a court and are now final.

Töpfer, who took part in the criminal proceedings as the injured party, did not seek any compensation.

The court found that StB officer in question and his superior abused their authority by taking part in an operation codenamed Artist in the city of Ústí nad Labem between 1978 and 1984. At the time, Töpfer was an actor at the local drama theatre.

The StB monitored not only his work in the theatre, but also his activities in television and radio. According to the court, he was targeted because he expressed views critical of the socialist regime, distributed anti-state publications, and was of Jewish origin.

Police and municipal officers have removed more than 14,000 people from Prague's public transport network since the beginning of the year, marking a record number of incidents.

Many of those removed were under the influence of alcohol or drugs and were accused of vandalism, disturbing public order or harassing passengers. Officers typically arrive within minutes to deal with incidents ranging from damaged vehicle doors to fights.

Police also carry out random inspections at metro stations and bus stops. Drivers have been using emergency alarm buttons more frequently as well, with nearly 840 activations recorded in the first half of this year, compared with fewer than 1,200 during all of last year.

Around 650,000 packs of infant formula later deemed unsafe were distributed in the Czech Republic before authorities identified the contamination, according to Seznam Zprávy.

European authorities traced the contamination back to October 2024 and linked it to a specialised ingredient imported from China. Only about 132,000 packs were recalled, while it remains unclear how many of the remaining products were consumed, discarded, or are still in households.

Czech authorities have recorded 25 suspected cases of illness and one confirmed case. Following the incident, the European Commission tightened inspections of ARA oil imported from China, requiring laboratory testing from February onward. The toxin involved, cereulide, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

The Czech government is due to discuss plans to revise the country’s crisis and defence legislation on Monday. The proposal, prepared by the defence and interior ministers, aims to improve the state’s transition to a wartime or defence economy and ensure essential services, industry, logistics and state institutions continue to function during emergencies. Ministers will also discuss the cost of measures linked to the current terrorism threat level and new rules on materials that can come into contact with drinking water. Other agenda items include flood protection measures on the Bečva River and Czechia’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade.