Investigators of communist crimes identify 68 suspects in 2025

Police investigators probing crimes committed under the communist regime identified 68 suspects last year, 12 more than in 2024. Of those, 23 were formally charged, according to the annual report of the Office for the Documentation and Investigation of the Crimes of Communism. In one case prosecution was time-barred, in two it was deemed purposeless, and in 42 cases the suspects had already died. The specialised police unit focuses on unresolved crimes from 1948 to 1989, including abuse of power, murder and crimes against humanity.

Last year the office opened 101 new cases. Among those charged were dozens of former officers and senior officials of the communist secret police, the StB. Investigators also continued examining the 1948 death of former foreign minister Jan Masaryk.