News

The Czech foreigners' police began a nationwide operation on Monday to clamp down on foreigners living illegally in this country. Around 350 police officers as well as customs and labour office officials have been carrying out checks at boarding houses, metro stations, building sites and factories in an effort to root out illegal foreigners. A police spokeswoman said the operation was aimed at ensuring that as many undesirable aliens as possible are apprehended before the Czech Republic joined the so-called Schengen zone at the start of next year. A similar operation last June uncovered 192 residency violations.

The Czech children's film Maharal directed by Pavel Jandourek has won the audience prize at the prestigious Carrousel film festival in Romouski, Canada. Earlier in the year, this magical adventure story featuring historical figures from Rudolphine Prague such as the Rabbi Loew also picked up the audience prize at the Zlin international festival.

The Green Party chapter in the Liberec Region has asked the outgoing education minister Dana Kuchtova to reconsider her decision to step down. The regional chapter says there are no genuine reasons for her leaving the post as neither the education ministry nor the education system are in crisis. They say the recent developments are a result of a power struggle motivated by "the dream of billions of crowns from EU funds". The Liberec Green Party chapter has also criticised party chairman Martin Bursik for not providing enough backing to Dana Kuchtova.

The Czech Police anti-organised crime squad say they have detained five people suspected of committing a series of robberies causing overall damage worth around 22 million crowns. A spokeswoman said the police unit had been monitoring the gang for more than a year and arrested three of its members in January. According to the police, the gang has been active in Central and South Bohemia since 2003. All five suspects have been remanded in custody and face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.