Okamura files complaint against criminal prosecution for SPD election campaign

Tomio Okamura, leader of the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD), has filed a complaint against the initiation of criminal prosecution over controversial posters from last year's election campaign, according to information was reported on Tuesday by Czech Television, and confirmed by the Prague police. The police are accusing Mr. Okamura of inciting hatred, for which he faces up to three years in prison, and charged him after the Chamber of Deputies referred the matter for criminal prosecution in February.

According to criminal experts, the posters used in the campaign before last year's regional and senate elections had racist or xenophobic overtones. After the extradition decision, Mr. Okamura told reporters that he would continue to fight for a safe Czechia and for freedom of speech. According to him, the government coalition is trying to criminalise opposition views and prevent the SPD from participating in this year's elections to the Chamber of Deputies.