Police hunt for rape suspect in Prague after attack following holiday party

Prague police are investigating the rape of a woman near the Sídliště Barrandov public transport station in the early hours of Dec. 13. The woman was returning from a Christmas party when the assault occurred. Authorities are looking for both a suspect and a witness in connection with the crime and are urging the public to contact the police if they recognize anyone from security footage.

The incident took place between 1:30 and 2 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. The victim had arrived at the Sídliště Barrandov tram stop on tram No. 12. Shortly after disembarking, she was assaulted by an unknown man in a nearby bush. The suspect took advantage of the victim’s defenselessness, and she was unable to resist.

Investigators believe the suspect is likely a homeless man who frequently rides trams at night to the final stop before transferring to another tram. On the night of the attack, he was seen leaving the scene on tram No. 94 at around 1 a.m., heading to the Lehovec terminal. Authorities also believe he may be familiar with the Invalidovna area. The suspect is highlighted in red in the available footage.

The case is being investigated under suspicion of rape, a crime punishable by two to ten years in prison. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or the witness to contact the police hotline at 158. The appeal also extends to both the suspect and witness: if either recognizes themselves in the footage, they are urged to visit any police station.

In recent days, Czech police have come under fire for an incident in which officers turned away a woman who had been brutally raped, sparking widespread concern and highlighting a troubling pattern of police failure to address rape cases.

Women's advocacy organizations like Konsent have criticized the police for downplaying or dismissing rape reports, especially in cases involving victims with drug use or backgrounds in sex work, as was the case with the woman involved.

Experts stress that such dismissals can severely impact victims, leaving them feeling abandoned and unprotected. This case underscores the urgent need for reform and better training for police officers in handling sexual violence cases.