Czech news in brief for December 20: Wednesday's top headlines

Following a two-day widescale search in Klánovice forest on the eastern edge of Prague for clues relating to the double murder of father and daughter last Friday, Prague police have reported no notable findings or leads. Despite concluding the search, regular patrols in the area will persist in the coming days. 

Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan confirmed the perpetrator remains unidentified and provided no information about his or her potential background. To maintain public safety, heightened surveillance will continue as part of the authorities' efforts to ensure the security of the region. The police has urged people who were in or around the forest on Friday, Dec. 15 to reach out.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala this afternoon at a cabinet meeting hailed the government's pivotal achievements in 2023, citing the consolidation package, pension reforms, and infrastructure advancements. He anticipated significant improvements in the coming year, foreseeing stabilized public finances and better-controlled inflation. 

Fiala also emphasized the value of high-level government meetings held not only in Prague but also across regions, fostering communication with local authorities and addressing regional issues. Despite opposition, the government successfully implemented a consolidation package that is set to save roughly CZK 150 billion, aiming to slash the deficit to 2.2 percent of GDP next year from 3.6 percent in 2023, a pivotal move for future fiscal stability.

Czech President Petr Pavel and French counter Emmanuel Macron met today at the Elysee Palace in Paris, acknowledging the dangers of a Russian victory in Ukraine. Their meeting emphasized mutual support for Ukraine and a shared stance on EU expansion. Discussions centered on broader EU collaboration, energy ventures, including nuclear and rail projects, and cultural and scientific partnerships. 

Macron praised joint efforts regarding the EU’s modular reactor project. The agenda extended to Middle Eastern affairs, NATO, and Pavel's assistance to French troops in Bosnia when he had been a battalion commander, earning him esteemed French military honors. 

According to a new index by travel-information website VisaGuide.World, Czechia has the 11th most powerful passport globally. Holders of a Czech passport can travel completely visa-free to 155 countries and can visit 41 countries worldwide without even needing a passport (only ID card). 

Furthermore, 31 countries do not require Czech passport holders to hold a visa prior to traveling to a destination – instead, they issue visas on arrival. According to the index, just 20 countries worldwide require a valid visa for Czech passport holders. The index shows that Spain, Germany, and Italy have the most powerful European passports.

The Czech cabinet has today endorsed a legal redefinition of rape, shifting from forcible intercourse to non-consensual acts, with proposed changes favoring a "no means no" stance. The amendment, if passed, mandates all sexual acts with children under 12 to be classified as rape or assault, not mere abuse. 

The new law sets out to broaden non-verbal cues like gestures or a defensive stance as indicators of non-consent. Factors like incapacity due to illness, intoxication, or mental disability are included. The Justice Ministry has drafted the amendment and must be passed by both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.

The Czech Railway Administration has announced plans to replace the current Výton bridge by mid-2028 while aiming to relocate the heritage-protected existing structure to Modřany. Transport Minister Martin Kupka confirmed the decision, facing criticism from preservationists. The controversial bridge sparked debate following an architectural competition favoring a new upper section, opposed by civic groups and UNESCO. 

The state intends to relocate the riveted monument due to the bridge's condition and the necessity of a third-track extension. Estimated relocation costs vary between CZK 345 to CZK 362 million, totaling CZK 2.4 billion for the new bridge versus CZK 2.8 billion for the existing one's reconstruction with track extension.

Billboards featuring Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan and Prague-Řeporyje Mayor Pavel Novotný in body bags with the text "Vít Rakušan with his whole family" and a similar message for Novotný appeared near Český Brod, prompting a police investigation for a suspected breach of peace. Last year, Rakušan defended a controversial image of Russian President Putin in a body bag displayed on the Interior Ministry building.

The police ask for witnesses who saw individuals or vehicles near the billboards. Novotný is on probation for social media harassment, including offensive comments about Palestinians. The ODS has distanced itself from party member Novotný's statements.

Prague police have apprehended Romanian pickpockets operating in the city during the holiday season. The successful collaboration with Romanian counterparts aided in the swift arrest of experienced criminals, some tracked down through CCTV cameras. The detained individuals included a previously expelled member who returned after completing a sentence.

In one case, a couple attempted to steal from a 70-year-old woman, prevented by vigilant police officers. The heightened patrols during Advent involve joint operations with Romanian police, aiming to curb pickpocketing in high-risk areas. Authorities remind residents and visitors to be cautious of their personal belongings.

Prague residents can visit the New Town Hall at Mariánské náměstí until Christmas Day to light a candle from the Bethlehem light, symbolizing peace and hope. The flame, traditionally distributed by scouts, originates from the cave under the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda hopes the light from a war-torn area signifies a better 2024.

In a news release, Councilor Antonín Klecanda encouraged citizens to take the light home for peace and well-being. The Bethlehem light is available at various locations nationwide, promoting a message of love, friendship, and the triumph of light over darkness. The tradition, starting in Austria in 1986, spread globally through scouting organizations after 1989.

Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, detained in Prague on charges of plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York, denies the allegations, claiming mistaken identity and inhumane conditions. According to The Washington Post, Gupta's lawyer alleges he received poor legal advice under undue American influence during his initial Czech detention.

Gupta, facing extradition to the U.S., is portrayed as a law-abiding businessman caught in the crossfire between the U.S. and Indian governments. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commenting for the first time, expressed concern about extremist activities overseas but downplayed diplomatic implications. Gupta's family is appealing to India's Supreme Court to prevent extradition.

Ludmila Slavíková, the oldest female war veteran in Czechia, passed away at the age of 102. The Czechoslovak Legionaries Association announced her death, highlighting her role in the resistance movement against Nazi Germany during World War II. Alongside her husband Josef, Slavíková participated in railroad sabotage and sheltering escaped prisoners of war.

The couple, associated with the resistance tramp group Bílá růže (White Rose), lived in Choceň, east Bohemia. Slavikova continued her involvement in projects caring for war veterans even in her old age, leaving behind a legacy of wartime bravery and dedication to veterans' well-being.