Czech news in brief for May 7: Tuesday's top headlines

Deputy Czech Police President Tomáš Lerch has announced that approximately 1,200 police officers will be on duty each day of the Ice Hockey World Championship, with 700 in Prague and 500 in Ostrava. The police are also preparing for other events happening at the same time, such as a Rammstein concert in Prague. However, there is no specific threat from terrorists or extremists, the police say. Compared to the last time Czechia hosted the championship in 2015, new security measures have been implemented, including a no-fly zone and anti-drone protection over the stadia.

A 53-year-old man from Czechia has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison by a Bavarian court for stealing the pectoral cross of the late Pope Benedict XVI from a church in Traunstein, Germany, in 2023. The cross, made of gold and precious stones, is worth around EUR 1,000 (CZK 25,000), but the Vatican says it has significant historical value. The man testified that he did not know the value of the cross and was only offered EUR 18 (CZK 450) for it by a dealer who believed it to be a fake.

The Czech Interior Ministry has released a report on extremism for 2023, stating that the so-called anti-system movement, which expresses respect for the Russian regime and does not approve of the Czech state and its institutions, dominates the extremist scene in Czechia. This movement has gained support through disinformation and conspiracy theories, exploiting issues such as price hikes and the energy and migration crises. However, the movement lacks a solid political program and remains fragmented.

The Czech government has approved a new package of measures to reduce bureaucracy. The measures include digitization of employment relations and the elimination of the physical photo requirement for disabled person's card. This follows the previous two anti-bureaucratic packages approved in August 2022 and June, which resulted in the abolition of mandatory medical check-ups for non-hazardous professions. The third package includes getting rid of the requirement for employers who hire over half their workers with disabilities to report this to the state.

The Constitutional Court (ÚS) will announce its decision today regarding a proposal to abolish legislation requiring surgery for an official sex change. The petitioner, officially registered as a woman but seeking a gender change has faced legal and administrative challenges and is contesting the law's requirement for surgery, sterilization, and genital transformation. The outcome of the case will set a significant legal precedent concerning human rights and gender identity.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský summoned Russian Ambassador Alexander Zmeyevsky Monday to address cyberattacks on Czech institutions and critical infrastructure, said a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. The Russian embassy denied involvement, dismissing Czech accusations as lacking concrete evidence. Last week, the ministry revealed that the APT28 group, linked to Russian military, targeted Czech institutions with cyberattacks exploiting Microsoft Outlook vulnerability since last year.

City councilors have postponed a decision on the future of the bronze Moscow-Prague sculpture in the Anděl metro vestibule due to Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil's absence from Monday's meeting. Proposed future plans include adding an information table near the sculpture or holding an art competition for its redesign, according to Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib. The sculpture's historical context has sparked debate, with Hřib proposing replacement or re-imagining of the sculpture in light of Russia's past actions toward Czechoslovakia as well as its present aggression toward Ukraine. An expert jury will determine the final form.

Italian police apprehended a Czech priest over the weekend after discovering an air pistol, two knives, and a screwdriver in his bag upon entry to the Vatican, ANSA reported. Despite the priest's assertion that the items were for personal defense, authorities remain skeptical. The priest faces charges of illegal weapons possession, while another Czech individual, believed to be the bag's owner, is also under investigation. Both suspects are currently at large.

Czech entrepreneur Daniel Křetínský has submitted an offer to acquire the French technology company Atos, part of four different bids received by the firm. Atos is considering proposals from banks, major shareholder Onepoint, and Křetínský's consortium Attestor. Despite government support, Atos faces financial hurdles. Analysts say the restructuring could lead to substantial dilution of existing shares. A decision is anticipated by the end of the month, with a final agreement targeted for July.