Czech weekend news in brief: top stories for June 27, 2021

Czech Republic wins fifth straight European Softball Championship

Czech softball players won their fifth title in a row and their 11th continental title altogether at the 2021 European Softball Championship on Saturday. The Czech team left the tournament undefeated as they topped Denmark 4-2 in the final.

This year's Men's European Softball Championship was held in Ledenice and Sezimovo Ústí, Czech Republic, with the Czech Republic topping Denmark 4-2 in the final and Croatia beating France 6-4 for third place. Other competing countries included the Netherlands (5th), Israel (6th), Slovakia (7th), Sweden (8th), and Lithuania (9th).

Czech President expresses condolences for tornado victims in TV speech

President Miloš Zeman expressed his condolences to the families of victims of the deadly storms in South Moravia, thanked the intervening rescuers, and said he appreciated solidarity from people around the Czech Republic in a special television address to Czech citizens on Saturday evening. Zeman said that thanks to the solidarity, he believes that the afflicted municipalities will be able to resume their normal lives.

"First, I would like to express my deepest sympathy with all bereaved people of this natural disaster. I would like to wish a speedy recovery to all the injured," Zeman said. He thanked all the intervening firefighters, soldiers, and police officers. He added that he sent Prague Castle guards to help clean up the debris left after the storm in Hodonín and Břeclav according to the needs of rescue workers.

Scammers create fake charity site for tornado victims in South Moravia

Fraudsters have copied the Brno Diocese charity website and modified its payment QR code to channel the money into a fake bank account. South Moravia Region spokeswoman Alena Knotková urged people today to double check whether they are sending money to the right account.

"The charity website is all right. However, someone copied its graphic design and inserted their own QR code there. We recommend people send money directly via the bank account number and not use the QR code," Knotková said. She added that people should closely monitor the url of the website that they are using to be completely sure.

Prague policeman injured by explosive booby trap during investigation

A policeman was injured by an explosive trap attached to an apartment door while searching for a man suspected of a violent crime in Prague, Prague Police tweeted on Saturday. His sense of hearing has been consequently affected, and the suspect is still at large after not being found in the apartment.

"The report from the bomb squad was negative, and no further explosives were found in the flat, which does not pose a threat anymore," the police tweeted. The police are searching for Jiří Dvořák, 66, a tall and slim man with grey hair and a mustache. Dvořák was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and trousers, white trainers, and a black cross-body bag. He might be driving a blue Hyundai Santa Fe with the registration plate 3AZ 7292.

Hundreds of people pay tribute to deceased Roma man in Teplice

Hundreds of people gathered in Teplice today to pay tribute to Stanislav Tomáš, the Roma man who died last Saturday after a police intervention The planned peaceful gathering turned into a protest marchthat ended at about 4:00 p.m. when people dispersed outside a police station. Protesters blame police for the death of Tomáš, but police deny any misconduct.

People at the event chanted "come and kill us,", "police killers," and "stop racism." Numerous speeches were given and a priest delivered a prayer for the deceased man. Police members in riot gear monitored the gathering. All roads leading to the place of protest were closed for security reasons, regional police spokesman Daniel Vítek told CTK.