Young Czech MP faces sexual assault scandal

Czech lawmaker Dominik Feri of opposition party TOP 09 and the coalition block, Spolu (Together), resigned on Wednesday and will not run in October’s general election after accusations of sexual assault and improper conduct made by several young women were published in Deník N and A2larm.

While Feri has denied the allegations, he conceded that his behaviour may at times have been inappropriate, and apologised for it. The police have already launched an investigation in the matter and Feri said he would defend himself in court.

Feri, who was the youngest member of the Czech lower house of parliament, was supposed to be one of the main faces of the election campaign of the Spolu coalition and represented a chance to get young voters to the voting booths.

His Instagram account, which now has more than a million followers, gained popularity last year for his regular updates on COVID-19 measures. The case has opened a heated debate about sexual harassment and violence in the Czech Republic. (Ondřej Plevák | EURACTIV.cz)