Trial of man accused of starting Bohemian Switzerland forest fire soon to head to court

The man accused of starting the largest forest fire ever seen in Czechia could soon be heading to court, Seznam Zprávy reported on Monday. The former volunteer security guard, who has been in custody since last May, could face up to 15 years in prison for general endangerment and damage to another's property. He stands accused of starting the massive forest fire which broke out in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the summer of 2022 and ravaged over 1,000 hectares, as well as setting fire to an observation tower and outside seating areas in Děčín last April.

The public prosecutor first filed charges against him last autumn, but the court returned the case to the plaintiff with a request to specify the amount of damage caused. The indictment has now been filed for a second time, with an estimated damage of CZK 350 million.