Czech Republic Charges Nearly 100 Individuals for Endorsing Russian Invasion in Ukraine

Criminal proceedings related to approval of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, attacks on humanity, or other forms of propaganda by movements and terrorist organizations have increased by 30% in the Czech Republic. 

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the Czech police have examined almost four hundred such cases and have already reported accusations against nearly a hundred people. At the start of the year, the number of accused was one-third less. Currently, the police are also dealing with cases related to the war in the Gaza Strip, as reported by Czech radio iRozhlas.

The Czech police continue to monitor and investigate cases involving the endorsement of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. According to the Chief Prosecutor of the Czech Republic, Igor Stryzh, after the start of the Russian war, these cases could be classified under two articles – 365 and 405. These are sections of the criminal code that pertain to the crimes of 'approval of a crime' and 'denial, doubt, approval, and justification of genocide.'

"If someone publicly – including at demonstrations, on the Internet, or social networks – expresses approval of the attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukraine or in this context expresses support or praises the leaders of the Russian Federation, they may also be subject to criminal liability under certain conditions," said the Prosecutor General of the Czech Republic in a press release.

It is evident from the current number of cases handled in this way that this warning was not in vain. According to police spokesperson Ondrej Moravcik, since the beginning of the war, the police have investigated hundreds of complaints and initiated criminal proceedings in 384 cases. 

"121 cases involve approval and other forms of support for movements or terrorist organizations," explains Moravcik, adding that in these cases, the police know that the respective individual has committed a crime.

After identification and tracking, which, according to the police, is sometimes successful, accusations are brought forward. Moravcik states that nearly a hundred criminals have already felt the consequences.

"All 384 cases are everything we've dealt with. Some of them have led to accusations against specific individuals, which amounts to 99 cases. Among them, we also include those that have already been terminated," adds Moravcik, specifying that their legal qualification in these cases also varies.

The police are also monitoring the current situation regarding the war in the Gaza Strip between the terrorist movement Hamas and Israel. They are assessing whether there is a similar violation of the law as with the Russian war in Ukraine, and in this case as well.