Czech Supreme Court orders new trial for man charged with spying for China

In a closed session, the Supreme Court in Prague nullified the Municipal Court’s decision that had sent the espionage case back to the state prosecutor and had allowed the defendant’s release from detention. The Supreme Court also overturned the release order, keeping the suspect in custody over fears he might flee or evade prosecution, and mandated that the municipal court conduct a new main hearing. The man, accused in January of illegal activity for a foreign power, is the first person prosecuted under the provision that criminalises work for foreign states aimed at harming Czech sovereignty.

According to the Security Information Service, he operated under the cover of a Chinese newspaper journalist and assembled a diversified source network to access sensitive, non-public information from Czech state institutions. The case highlights the application of a law that came into force in February and has drawn political attention regarding its wording.