Czech Defence News of the Week (2 November – 9 November 2018)

Author: Miroslav Šindelář, army.cz|Caption: Military honours during Tomáš Procházka's funeral

Trident Juncture 18 live training ended on 7th November 2018 - The body of Chief Warrant Officer Tomáš Procházka who was killed in Afghanistan on 22nd October was laid to rest - General Petr Pavel said that Russia and China pose a greater threat to the security of the Czech Republic than international terrorism - The former Imam of the Prague mosque Samer Shehadeh was captured in Jordan and was returned to the Czech Republic to be tried for supporting and promoting terrorism - This week the Government will vote on a proposal to opt out of a United Nations migration pact.

• Trident Juncture 18 live training ended on 7th November 2018. Around 50,000 participants from all over NATO and its partners, more than 30 nations, were in Norway for the exercise Trident Juncture 2018. The task of the Czech troops during the exercise was to provide Air Defence for the first line mechanized and armoured battalions and for the tactical command post of the 9th Armour Brigade.

See also: Trident Juncture 18 live training ends (7th November 2018)

• On 7^th November the body of Chief Warrant Officer Tomáš Procházka who was killed in Afghanistan on 22^nd October was laid to rest. The funeral took place in his hometown Prachatice, with full military honours. Tomáš Procházka served with the Military Cynology Centre at Chotyně, and specialised in training of Military Working Dogs (MWD). He was shot by an Afghan soldier while returning from a routine mission outside the base in Herat Province. Two other Czech soldiers were injured in the attack. He was the fourth Czech soldier killed in Afghanistan this year.

• Former Czech Army Chief of General Staff General and NATO Chairman of Military Committee Petr Pavel said, at a debate held on Thursday by the CEVRO Institute “NATO in the 21st Century and the Czech Army: a Way Forward”, that Russia and China pose a greater threat to the security of the Czech Republic than international terrorism does. On 1^st November, during the national conference “Our Security Cannot Be Taken for Granted”, he said that the threats of terrorism are more imminent, while the Russian threat is more significant. According to General Pavel the Czech politicians often point to international terrorism as the greatest danger but few speak of the greater danger of Russian propaganda, information warfare and hybrid attacks on NATO allies and aspiring members.

See also: General Petr Pavel – small army must rely on quality

• The former Imam of the Prague mosque Samer Shehadeh was captured in Jordan, and was returned to the Czech Republic to be tried for supporting and promoting terrorism, and the finance of terror-related activities. He has given up his right to lodge a complaint against his detention and so will remain in custody pending a trial, along with two other suspects. Shehadeh was being actively tracked by Czech intelligence after his move to the Middle East, which occurred after had been removed from his position as Imam in Prague due to his radicalisation. If convicted, he could face fifteen years in prison.

• This week the Government will vote on a proposal to opt out of a United Nations migration pact. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was approved in July by all 193 U.N. member nations except the United States, which backed out last year. The pact is due to be signed in December in Morocco. Austria, Hungary, Australia and the USA have already withdrawn from the agreement.