A treatment center for multiple sclerosis, one of only 10 in Europe, will open at the teaching hospital in Prague 5-Motol in January, Mladá fronta Dnes reported Dec. 8. The clinic aims to improve the quality of treatment by using blood samples to determine what types are most effective for each patient. Some 13,000 people have multiple sclerosis in the Czech Republic.

BLOCKED CALLS

The state has earmarked 50 million Kč ($2.4 million) to set up equipment to block mobile phone signals in high-security prisons, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek told reporters Dec. 7. Mobile phones could be used by inmates to plan escapes or control illegal activity outside the prisons, he said. The two-year project will be launched at the beginning of 2007.

BRIBERY

Corruption is worse in the Czech Republic than in other European Union countries, according to a Gallup poll conducted for anti-corruption group Transparency International. Released Dec. 7, the poll found that 17 percent of households report having paid a bribe in the past year. The EU average is 2 percent. Also, 40 percent of Czechs believe the government is ineffective at fighting corruption.

RETURNED

Baroque artifacts stolen from a north Bohemian church three years ago have been returned by Polish law enforcement, a church spokeswoman told the Czech News Agency Dec. 11. The 16 wooden carvings, estimated to be worth 500,000 Kč, were taken from the pulpit and altar of the church in Nová Ves. The thief planned to sell the artifacts in Western Europe, police said.

ÉMIGRÉS