history Mass Prussian graves found at Prague monastery
Archaeologists have uncovered 1,289 skeletal remains of Prussian soldiers from 18th-century wars at Prague’s Břevnov Monastery, the National Heritage Institute said. The unprecedented find includes buttons, buckles, coins, weapons, and rosaries. Many graves date to the 1757 Battle of Štěrboholy and subsequent siege of Prague. Excavations, covering 1,000 square meters, were carried out before the construction of a woodchip heating plant. Some soldiers were buried in mass graves near the monastery granary.
ukraine Donors give Ukraine Black Hawk helicopter
Volunteers from the Czech-Slovak “Gift for Putin” initiative on Tuesday handed Ukraine’s military intelligence a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter funded by more than 20,600 donors. The helicopter, named Čestmír, cost CZK 72.6 million and was earlier symbolically presented by President Petr Pavel to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Organizer Martin Ondráček said the effort is unique worldwide. New fundraising aims to supply 500 drones and aircraft to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
legal Stork’s Nest trial delayed past elections
The Prague Municipal Court will not begin the retrial in the Stork’s Nest subsidy fraud case before the October elections, Judge Jan Šott told Czech media Tuesday. ANO leader and former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and then-associate Jana Nagyová face charges after the Supreme Court overturned their acquittal in June. Šott said the delay ensures time for evidence and defense preparation. Babiš, previously twice acquitted, denies wrongdoing. The ruling’s postponement benefits the ex-prime minister.
politics PM, interior minister rule out ANO cooperation
Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan reaffirmed Tuesday their parties will not cooperate with the ANO movement after the elections. Following talks in Prague, the Civic Democrats leader and the Mayors and Independents (STAN) chief pledged readiness to govern together despite differences. Pirate Party leader Zdeněk Hřib declined an invitation, criticizing the meeting’s format. Fiala’s Together (Spolu) alliance also includes TOP 09 and the Christian Democrats.
courts Pavel nominates two for top court posts
Czech President Petr Pavel on Wednesday nominated Michal Bartoň and Martin Smolek to the Constitutional Court, his office announced. Bartoň heads constitutional law at Palacký University in Olomouc, while Smolek represents the Czech Republic before the EU’s top court. Judges Jaromír Jirsa and Josef Fiala will retire later this year. Since taking office, Pavel has replaced more than two-thirds of the 15-member court, most recently appointing Dita Řepková in December.