Czech news in brief for March 21: Saturday's top morning headlines

A warehouse at LPP Holding in Pardubice, east Bohemia, caught fire on Friday and was extinguished in the afternoon. The hall mainly stored construction materials for renovation. LPP Holding also manufactures MTS 40 drones for Ukraine. Authorities are investigating the blaze as a suspected terrorist act, with four possible arson-related causes under review. Czech counter-intelligence and the National Centre for Counterterrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime are cooperating on the investigation, while the group The Earthquake Faction claimed responsibility.

Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said the terrorism threat level remains at two out of four following a fire at LPP Holding in Pardubice, east Bohemia. Authorities are investigating the blaze as a possible terrorist act after the group The Earthquake Faction claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called on military equipment manufacturers to improve facility security. Police, intelligence agencies, and forensic experts continue to examine the incident and assess potential risks.

The civic group Milion chvilek is holding a demonstration today at Letná Plain in Prague. Organizers expect 200,000 to 400,000 participants depending on the weather. The event, from 3 p.m. 5 p.m., aims to highlight threats to democracy and criticize government actions. Transport and safety measures are in place, including a special tram stop, security corridors, and up to 400 volunteers, police, firefighters, and medical staff.

Czech opposition parties called for higher funding for intelligence and security agencies after a fire in Pardubice that is being investigated as a suspected terrorist attack. ODS, STAN, KDU-ČSL, TOP 09 and the Pirates said recent budget cuts had weakened Czechia’s security response. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš rejected the criticism, saying his government had allocated record funding to the BIS, though opposition politicians noted the amount was lower than previously proposed.

The number of kidney transplants in Czechia has increased sharply over the past 20 years, reaching 579 procedures in 2025, according to transplant data released March 20. Doctors say transplants from living donors usually last longer, but their share has fallen in recent years. Experts are urging preventive kidney checks, especially for people with diabetes or high blood pressure, to help avoid dialysis and improve long-term outcomes.