Czech news in brief for September 2: Wednesday's top afternoon headlines recap

Police experts today exhumed the remains of Jan Masaryk, the former Foreign Minister and son of Czechoslovakia's founding father TGM, to help clarify whether he died from suicide or was murdered, more than 75 years after his death. “We will provide further information as soon as possible,” a police spokesman said.

The wider context. Even decades after his death, Jan Masaryk’s death remains heavily scrutinized and subject to multiple speculations and theories. To date, the official version leans towards suicide, but modern examination methods could shed more light on the matter in the coming days.

The Czech Republic is ready to cooperate with Germany and other European partners over the recent security incidents that occurred in Leipzig and other German cities, Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced today. After Germany directly accused Russia of being behind the drone incursion at the Leipzig airport, Czech authorities have summoned the Russian ambassador in Prague for an explanation.

Alarm bells across Europe. Germany’s findings about Moscow’s involvement are alarming, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said, echoing growing concerns across European and NATO capitals about Russia’s intensification of hybrid and sabotage operations.

Czech President Petr Pavel will be among dozens of heads of state and foreign dignitaries to attend the funeral of Norwegian King Harald V in Oslo, next Wednesday. Pavel was supposed to travel to Norway in November for a state visit, but an alternative date is now being sought in light of Harald V’s death last Friday.

National mourning. The planned Friday trip to Oslo of the Czech industry and health ministers has also been cancelled as the country observes a period of national mourning until the former monarch is laid to rest next week.

Czechs spend an average of approximately CZK 55,00 while on holiday, according to a joint study by Invia and other travel agencies, making them the thriftiest and most budget-conscious spenders in Central Europe. Hungarians, on the other hand, are said to spend the most, over 40 percent more than Czechs.

Same destinations, different habits. Czechs, Poles, Slovaks and Hungarians tend to choose similar holiday destinations, with Turkey, Egypt and Greece topping the list. But how they travel or which kind of hotels they choose varies, with Slovaks for instance being the most interested in luxury hotels.

A 26-year-old Czech national faces possible life imprisonment after being charged by Australian police with importing and trafficking large amounts of cocaine and ketamine, iRozhlas.cz reports. The young man will appear in court on September 16.

Czechs in foreign prisons. Precise data are hard to come by, but it’s estimated that between 500-700 Czech citizens are currently serving or facing a prison sentence abroad.