Police search Prague City Hall, two people detained

On Tuesday, Czech police carried out an investigative operation at Prague City Hall — the Škoda Palace on Jungmannova Street in the city centre. According to the Prague police press office, officers from the criminal police unit specialising in economic crime detained two people as part of a pre-trial investigation.

According to a source familiar with the situation, police were interested in around four people, and it was expected that some of them would be detained. Among the individuals named, though unconfirmed, is the head of the Prague City Hall's roads and railways department — his office happens to be located in the very building where the operation took place.

Oversight of the investigation's legality rests with the Prague Municipal Prosecutor's Office. According to its spokesman Aleš Cimbala, no one has yet been formally charged, and criminal proceedings against specific individuals have not been opened at this stage — the inquiry is ongoing. He promised further details no earlier than Wednesday.

Municipal police spokesman Jan Rybanský confirmed that colleagues from the economic crime unit were working in the building, but declined to specify against whom or in connection with which case the operation was being conducted.

The city hall's press office confirmed it had been cooperating with police. "We provided assistance to the Czech police. We cannot share details at this time, but we remain in contact with law enforcement and are giving them our full cooperation," said city hall spokesman Vít Hofman.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Jaromír Beránek (Pirate Party) said he learned of the police operation from the media. He noted that the roads and railways department carries out delegated state administration functions, and that he had been assured the case has nothing to do with the city's self-governing powers.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz