In Hradec Králové, two men aged 21 and 30 were charged with extortion for allegedly demanding money from a 20-year-old man under the pretense of providing protection. The police reported that the men made threats of violence against the younger individual, who was lured into a meeting under false pretenses, with the claim that they had information about his work in the Czech Republic. If the charges are proven, the duo faces up to eight years in prison, highlighting the serious nature of their actions.

The incident allegedly occurred last November when the victim, a foreign national, posted a job advertisement on the internet for construction work. In response, the accused reportedly contacted him several times through phone calls and messages, eventually persuading him to meet at a gas station parking lot in Hradec Králové. During this encounter, they allegedly pressured him into paying a large sum of money for purported protection or risk suffering harm, demonstrating a calculated approach to extortion.

Both men are believed to be Ukrainians, although this has not been officially confirmed by the authorities. The case raises important questions about the safety of foreign workers in the Czech Republic and the risks they pose to both their safety and legal employment status. The police emphasized that such criminal activities targeting vulnerable individuals will be rigorously investigated to ensure justice and protect the community.