Czech news in brief for January 22: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

Police in the Olomouc region have detained a 58-year-old man from Prostějov for allegedly posting threatening comments about President Petr Pavel on social media during the president’s visit to the region. The force said the comment was being investigated in connection with Pavel’s two-day trip, which includes Olomouc, Přerov and other towns. The man is being questioned on suspicion of dangerous threats.

Prague police and the Security Information Service (BIS) have charged a Chinese national accused of spying in the Czech Republic, an action that comes as the government seeks closer ties with Beijing. The suspect, long accredited as a journalist for the Chinese state-linked Guangming Daily, interviewed Czech and Slovak politicians, Czech security sources say. He is the first person prosecuted under a Czech law on unauthorised activity on behalf of a foreign power, police said.

The Czech Interior Ministry plans to raise the Ukrainian flag outside its Prague building on Feb. 24 to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, officials said. The move follows the removal of the flag from the ministry before Christmas and reflects a broader choice by some Czech institutions to show solidarity with Ukraine. Several ministries led by SPD ministers will not participate.

Police in Prague pursued a man through the city centre in a dramatic chase that included driving on sidewalks, footage shows. Officers were attempting to stop the suspect after he failed to pull over, with the pursuit covering several streets before he was eventually apprehended. No serious injuries were reported. The incident disrupted traffic and drew attention from bystanders who filmed parts of the chase. 

The annual Suchej únor (Dry February) alcohol awareness campaign is about to begin in the Czech Republic, organizers say, encouraging people to give up alcohol for the month to promote healthier habits. The initiative, supported by health experts and charities, aims to reduce alcohol consumption and spark conversations about drinking culture. Participating individuals can sign up and share experiences online as part of the nationwide effort.