President Pavel gives approval to 14 Czechs planning to fight in Ukraine

President Petr Pavel has given his official approval to 14 Czechs citizens seeking to join Ukraine's armed forces. Eight people have had such requests denied, the website iROZHLAS.cz reported on Wednesday.

According to the website, a total of 146 Czechs have received the approval of the head of state to join the Ukrainians, 132 of whom received it from Pavel's predecessor, Miloš Zeman.

Under Czech law, joining the army of another state without the president’s permission is considered a crime.