A Dutch journalist was briefly detained yesterday at a campaign rally by the Czech opposition Civic Democrats (ODS), on the eve of legislative elections which get underway this afternoon, a police spokeswoman said.
Mr Otakar van Gemund (32) was detained while leading a group of people chanting slogans and holding banners opposed to the conservative ODS trying to get onto the stage at the Prague rally, said spokeswoman Ms Eva Miklikova.
He was released yesterday evening after questioning, the spokeswoman said.
About 10,000 people attended the rally in Prague's old town to hear ODS chief and former prime minister Mr Vaclav Klaus, who is vying to return to power in the legislative elections Friday and Saturday.
The latest opinion polls put the ODS slightly behind, with 24 per cent support against 28 per cent for the outgoing Social Democrats (CSSD), who have run a minority government since 1998 propped up by the ODS under a controversial "opposition agreement."
Voting was due to start at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. Irish time) and continues till 10 p.m. The voting will recommence tomorrow morning from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., when exit poll forecasts are expected.
AFP