Prague
A former Czech Communist official who was appealing his four-year prison sentence for aiding the Soviet Union’s invasion of Czechoslovakia was slapped with a six-year sentence instead. Last year, Karel Hoffmann was found guilty of sabotage for ordering state radio and TV to cease broadcasting as Soviet tanks rolled into the country in 1968 to crush the “Prague Spring” socialist reform movement. Hoffmann’s order left most Czechs and Slovaks with no way of knowing what was happening. In his appeal, Hoffmann argued that his trial was politically motivated. The appeals court responded this week by adding two years to his sentence.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Political cartoons for February 10Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include halftime hate, the America First Games, and Cupid's woe
-
Why is Prince William in Saudi Arabia?Today’s Big Question Government requested royal visit to boost trade and ties with Middle East powerhouse, but critics balk at kingdom’s human rights record
-
Wuthering Heights: ‘wildly fun’ reinvention of the classic novel lacks depthTalking Point Emerald Fennell splits the critics with her sizzling spin on Emily Brontë’s gothic tale
