Czech President Petr Pavel hospitalized after motorcycle accident

UPDATED (May 24, 11:00 a.m.) Czech President Petr Pavel has been released from Prague’s Central Military Hospital for home treatment this morning after a Thursday motorcycle accident, the Presidential Office said on the X network. Pavel’s schedule for next week, including his planned trip abroad, remains unchanged.

The Presidential Office wrote that Pavel had been injured in a low-speed motorcycle crash while practicing off-road driving on a closed circuit. He remained hospitalized for precautionary observation overnight, but the injuries were not serious.

The president was injured in a motorcycle accident and hospitalized, his office announced on the X network Thursday evening. According to the Presidential Office, the injuries were not serious but required a short stay for observation.

Hospital spokeswoman Jitka Zinke confirmed that the 62-year-old president was admitted, treated, and kept at the Central Military Hospital in Prague.

"The president was injured while riding a motorcycle," the president’s office said. "The injuries are not serious, but they will require a short observation in the hospital."

Zinke said Pavel did not suffer serious injuries but did not provide further details on his condition or how long he will remain hospitalized.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala wished the president a speedy recovery. The retired army general, known for his physical fitness, did not stop riding motorcycles after his election as president last year. In February, Pavel went parachuting.

In April, he suffered a minor laceration near his eyebrows after being hit in the face during shooting practice at a Czech arms factory. The injury did not require medical treatment.

Before his inauguration, Pavel underwent a medical examination at the military hospital and published a report declaring he was fit to perform his presidential duties without exception.