In brief
Andrej Babis, Czech opposition leader and former prime minister, was injured during a rally in Dobrá when he was hit with a metal crutch. Babis was taken to the hospital for tests and released shortly after. The assailant was arrested at the scene, though their motives remain unclear. Babis’s party criticized the ruling government for fostering a climate of hostility through its campaign tactics. This incident raises alarms about political violence as the general elections approach on October 3-4.
Czech opposition leader and former prime minister Andrej Babis has been hit in the head with a metal crutch during an election rally. He was taken to hospital for tests and discharged shortly afterwards. A woman, who has not been identified, was also treated in hospital over the same incident.
The assailant was detained by police, with motives yet to be clarified. Babis's party condemned the attack, attributing it to a government campaign of hatred disseminated through billboards and social media.
The incident took place during a rally in Dobrá, located approximately 376 km (234 miles) east of the Czech capital, Prague. Fellow MP Aleš Juchelka, present at the rally, stated that Babis was struck several times. Following the incident, he was transported by car to a hospital for a CT scan, after which he was discharged.
According to Czech police, the suspect was arrested immediately after the attack, and the investigation is ongoing, categorized as disorderly conduct, with potential for escalation pending further information.
Babis, who served as prime minister between 2017 and 2021, is a prominent figure ahead of the general elections set for October 3-4. His deputy, Alena Schillerová, remarked that the attack stemmed from the hatred spread by the ruling parties, which promoted division and fear among voters.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed well wishes for Babis’s recovery and emphasized the need for non-violence in political discourse.
