• DNA sample links suspect with Velisek's murder
    09/22/2005

    Police have revealed that DNA analysis has confirmed suspect David Lubina's involvement in the murder of a TV technician. Last week TV Nova editor Michal Velisek was shot and killed in Prague after intervening on a woman's behalf. The woman was being threatened by Mr Lubina near Prague's Charles Square. Lubina, who has a history of psychological problems, shot Mr Velisek twice without warning, before escaping the scene. Police have been unable to track him down so far.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Government appoints new police president
    09/22/2005

    The government appointed Vladislav Husak as the new president of Czech police on Thursday. Mr Husak had been acting head of the police since mid-August. The two smaller coalition parties, the Christian Democrats and the Freedom Union, expressed reservations over his appointment. Mr Husak, who turns 40 next week, replaces Jiri Kolar who resigned in late June. The former police president stepped down after Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir escaped during a police search of his family villa near Prague.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Interior Minister: Krejcir no longer a Czech citizen
    09/22/2005

    In related news, Interior Minister Frantisek Bublan has addressed the case of fugitive millionaire Radovan Krejcir, saying on Thursday that it was "99 percent certain" Mr Krejcir was no longer a Czech citizen. The news comes after the ministry studied new documents at its disposal. Mr Krejcir, who is wanted for tax fraud and conspiracy to murder in the Czech Republic, escaped to the Seychelles in mid-summer, but obtained citizenship earlier, in 1996. The Czech Republic has been looking into possibilities for Krejcir's extradition.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Czech food inspectors close down mouse-infested supermarket
    09/22/2005

    Food inspectors have ordered a Czech hypermarket - run by the Dutch chain Ahold - to close its doors immediately after finding the store infested with mice. A spokeswoman for the Agriculture and Food Inspectorate has said the store in the South Bohemian town of Jindrichuv Hradec was ordered to close over concerns over health risks.

    Inspectors discovered not only mouse droppings on site, but chewed groceries, and live and dead mice within the entire vicinity. The Dutch chain now faces a possible fine of up to several hundred thousand crowns (the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars).

    Ahold Czech Republic, a 99-percent-owned subsidiary of Ahold, has been operating in the Czech Republic since 1991.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Midfielder Karel Poborsky struck from Sparta's "A-team" list
    09/22/2005

    Czech footballer Karel Poborsky - until recently captain of the first division's Sparta Prague - has been officially struck from the club's "A-team" list. Sparta's management reached the decision after the star midfielder publicly criticised the team's coach Jaroslav Hrebik. The club said it respected Mr Poborsky's talents, but made clear it would not tolerate such behaviour. The 33-year-old Poborsky is now set to train individually.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Poll: Paroubek loses support but still most popular politician
    09/21/2005

    The prime minister, Jiri Paroubek, is the most popular politician in the country, suggests a poll taken earlier this month by the STEM agency. Some 54 percent of respondents said they regarded Mr Paroubek positively; that represents a fall of nine percent since before the summer, and his controversial backing of the police break-up of a techno music festival.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Krejcir cannot be deported from Seychelles, says local official
    09/21/2005

    Fugitive businessman Radovan Krejcir has Seychelles citizenship and cannot be deported from the country, a local official said on Wednesday. The statement followed reports in the Czech press that Mr Krejcir had used a false passport to enter the country and could therefore be expelled for breaking Seychelles law. Mr Krejcir is wanted in the Czech Republic on charges of fraud and plotting to kill a customs officer.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Lower house approves points system for driving offences
    09/21/2005

    The lower house has passed a bill introducing a points system for driving offences, rejecting amendments proposed by the Senate. If the bill is signed by the president, drivers will lose their license if they acquire a certain number of punishment points. The Czech Republic has one of the worst rates of road deaths in Europe.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • President Klaus opens exhibition of Czech Gothic art in New York
    09/21/2005

    The Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, has opened a unique exhibition of Czech Gothic art from the 14th and 15th centuries at New York's prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art. The president, who is on a six-day working visit to the United States, also visited the city's Czech National Building, which is undergoing major reconstruction. He also held talks with New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Pravo: Grebenicek to step down at Communist Party meeting next month
    09/21/2005

    The chairman of the Communist Party, Miroslav Grebenicek, is going to step down at a meeting on October 1, a party source told the daily Pravo. Mr Grebenicek recently announced that he planned to resign, but has not made the details of his departure clear. So far the only candidate to replace him is the Communists' deputy chairman, Vojtech Filip.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

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