Petr Holub, editor in chief of the weekly "Respekt," on 5 April asked Ombudsman Otakar Motejl to recommend that the government amend the Criminal Code to protect freedom of speech, CTK reported. The appeal follows a dispute that erupted in October 2001 after the government threatened to sue "Respekt" over its publication of an article alleging "corrupt behavior" in the cabinet and Holub subsequently sued the government for hindering the freedom of the media. Both complaints were eventually shelved by the Prosecutor-General's Office.

(RFE/RL 19.iv.02)