Deep Politics Forum

Czech 'Breivik imitator' arrested in Ostrava

A man suspected of planning attacks similar to those carried out in Norway by Anders Behring Breivik has been arrested in the Czech Republic, according to police.

Police said an assault rifle, explosives, ammunition and police clothing were found in his apartment.

The 29-year-old old man was detained in the eastern city of Ostrava a week ago.

Breivik, dressed as a police officer, shot dead 69 people on an island after setting off a bomb in Oslo last year.

The BBC's Rob Cameron in Prague says police in Ostrava were alerted to the suspect because he used the name of Breivik in email correspondence.

Police searched the apartment on 10 August, but have only now disclosed details of what was found.

PRAGUE -- A man believed to be a sympathizer of Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik has been arrested in the Czech Republic for building up a stash of weapons, explosives, a detonator and an automatic rifle at his home, according to local media reports.

The 29-year-old man, living in the eastern city of Ostrava, had used Breivik's name in email communication, Czech news agency CTK reported Saturday. He was arrested Aug. 10 in Ostrava. Police would not comment further on the apparent Breivik link.

"In a home search we've found computer equipment, weapons, ammunition and explosives," CTK quoted Ostrava criminal police head Radovan Vojta as saying.

Vojta said police bomb experts were examining the seized material.

The suspect, who was not identified, has been convicted five times in the past on explosives-related charges. On one occasion, he blew up explosives near a highway in Ostrava.