Czech fighters for Ukraine ask for presidential pardon

Four Czech volunteers who joined the fighting in Ukraine after the Russian invasion have requested a presidential pardon for serving in foreign armed forces. While Czechia supports Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, its Penal Code considers serving in foreign armed forces without presidential consent a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison. Two of the requests for pardon were addressed by current President Petr Pavel, and two by his predecessor, Miloš Zeman. Three cases were dismissed by the police, and one was referred to the Ministry of Justice by Pavel.