The Czech Republic has put forward criminal charges against six individuals because they voiced support for Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

The Czech prosecutor’s office sentenced at least six people throughout 2022 because they supported the Russian side in the Ukraine war, Czech media reported on Tuesday.

Czech courts decided that some of those sentenced to prison over their views receive a suspended sentence, with others being sent to public works and some others being deported from the country or punished with a hefty monetary fine, the Ceske Noviny news portal reported.

The number of those charged under the article is preliminary, said Public Prosecutor’s Office Press Secretary Petr Mala, citing the fact that reports from the lower bodies of the prosecutor’s office usually arrive at the main department with some delays.

Czech media, meanwhile, has reported that the police accused some 49 people of approving of and supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, with Prague currently investigating a total of 86 cases of the sort.

Czech Prosecutor General Igor Striz said back in February 2022 that public statements endorsing Russia’s military operation on Ukraine or the Russian leadership could be considered a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for up to three years.

Additionally, Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government in the Czech Republic endorsed EU sanctions against Russia and adopted a harsh position regarding the military operation in Ukraine. Additionally, a number of policies have been passed, such as price controls on residential electricity and financial aid for businesses.

However, back in October, thousands of Czechs took to the streets in Prague, calling on the center-right administration to resign so that an early election could be held and demanding negotiations with Russia on gas supplies before the winter.

The third protest of the kind, organized by far-right political groupings, fringe organizations, and the Communist party, took place on a national holiday in Prague’s main square.

Resignation from NATO and the EU was demanded by protesters as they waved Czech flags and yelled “Resign, Resign” while carrying banners.

The conflict in Ukraine has driven up energy prices, putting pressure on governments across Europe to reduce the impact of rising energy costs for citizens and businesses.

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