Prague train harassment: police seek witness over teen case

Prague police are looking for a witness in a case of harassment on a commuter train, police spokesman Jan Rybanský said on Wednesday. According to him, from January to June an unknown man repeatedly pestered an underage passenger on the S9 line between Prague and Střančice, openly touching himself in the groin area.

Rybanský said the man singled out the teenager in the carriage and sat down opposite him during the journey. Gradually he began touching the teenager's thighs and knees with his own knees, and then repeatedly stroked his groin through his trousers, looking at the victim as he did so. At the same time he told the young man that he was lonely and had neither children nor a wife.

According to the police spokesman, similar incidents took place on the train running between Prague main station and Střančice. Police did not say how many such incidents investigators have recorded or whether other minors were involved. For now the incident is being investigated as hooliganism.

Police have published a photograph of the man they want to question. They said only that at this stage of the investigation he is regarded as a witness whose testimony the investigation needs; who exactly is shown in the picture has not been disclosed.

“It is very likely that this person could help considerably to clarify the circumstances with his testimony. Although the footage is not perfectly clear, we believe someone may recognise the man and tell us his identity. We are also appealing to the man himself,” Rybanský added.

Information about the case is being accepted by phone at 158, and people can also contact any police station in Prague. Police also urged other possible victims not to be afraid to report what happened.

Source: novinky.cz