Czech opposition leader hit in head with crutch during rally

Czech opposition leader and former prime minister Andrej Babis has been hit in the head with a metal crutch during an election rally.

He was taken to hospital for tests and discharged shortly afterwards. A woman was also treated in hospital over the same incident. Her identity has not been released.

The assailant was detained by police. His motive remains unknown.

The attack on Babis has been widely condemned, but his party blamed the government for a campaign of hatred "in billboards and social media".

The incident happened during a rally in Dobrá, some 376km (234 miles) east of the capital, Prague.

Fellow MP Aleš Juchelka, who was with Babis at the rally, said the ANO (Yes) party leader had been hit in the head several times.

He was taken to hospital in a car - where, after performing a CT scan, doctors discharged him.

In a short statement on X, Czech police said the suspect had been arrested by officers present at the rally "immediately after the attack". They said the matter was being investigated as "disorderly conduct", but could be widened if necessary.

Babis served as Czech prime minister between 2017 and 2021.

His deputy Alena Schillerová blamed the attack on the "hatred spread by the ruling parties".

"This is a direct consequence of their campaign based on fear and division," she said.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala wished Babis a speedy recovery and told an election rally for his party that "violence does not belong in politics".

Czechs are due to vote in general elections on 3 and 4 October.