Monday News Briefing

The Prague Municipal Court today started the trial of Randy Blythe, singer of the U.S. heavy-metal band Lamb of God, charged with killing a fan during a Prague concert in 2010. Blythe told the court today he did not want to avoid responsibility, but he also did not want to be punished for something he had not done. At his band's Prague concert in May 2010, Blythe allegedly pushed down from the stage a young man who eventually died of a head injury. Blythe, 41, has been charged with causing bodily harm to another person with lethal consequences. He faces up to ten years in prison, if convicted.   

PM Petr Nečas told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan he supports Turkey's full-fledged EU membership, provided the country successfully fulfils the accession conditions, during their talks in Prague today. Nečas told journalists that he and Erdogan also discussed business, investments and energy industry. Erdogan, who arrived in Prague after more than five years, said Turkey has been standing "outside the EU gates" for more than 50 years and that the delaying of its admission is inexcusable. Erdogan said Turkey knows that many conditions must be fulfilled before admission, but added that not even EU member states often meet all criteria. Some EU countries, including Germany, take the stance that Turkey should be offered a privileged partnership instead of full-out membership. The Czech Republic and Turkey are to sign a memorandum of strategic energy partnership soon.   

Customs patrol uncovered a tiger skeleton in a car at a lay-by near Svitavy, east Bohemia, the Czech News Agency reported. Officials said case is unprecedented in the region, and the perpetrator faces up to three-year imprisonment. The officers found 10 kilograms of bone remains in the car belong to a foreigner permanent residency in the Czech Republic. The man had no documents to prove the bones' origin. 

News Desk can be reached at
news@praguepost.com