Czech police have just dropped a bombshell by charging Tomio Okamura, the head of the conservative Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, over an anti-immigration campaign.
Intellinews reported that Czech law enforcement has accused Okamura of inciting hatred through a provocative billboard push in 2024, a move that’s stirred up a political hornet’s nest just as national elections loom in October 2025.
Let’s rewind to last summer and autumn, when SPD rolled out its hard-hitting ads ahead of regional and Senate elections in the Czech Republic.
These billboards, showing a black man in a blood-stained shirt wielding a knife, scream opposition to the EU migration pact with a tagline about rejecting “imported surgeons” in healthcare. Many have called this imagery flat-out racist, and it’s hard to argue it wasn’t meant to provoke.
Fast forward to early 2025, and the Czech parliament made the rare move of stripping Okamura of his immunity, clearing the path for police to grill him over this campaign. If convicted of inciting hatred, he could face up to three years behind bars—a serious penalty for a political figure.
The state prosecutor for Prague 1, Jan Lelek, confirmed the investigation’s wrap-up, stating to a local news outlet, “The police have ended the investigation.” That’s a polite way of saying the hammer is coming down, and now it’s up to the courts to decide Okamura’s fate.
But let’s not pretend this is just about justice—it smells like a political chess game. Okamura himself fired back at the Czech Press Agency, claiming, “It is an effort of Premier Fiala.”
He’s framing this as a desperate attempt by the ruling elite to silence dissent and rig the upcoming elections, a narrative that resonates with anyone skeptical of overreaching government power.
Okamura’s defense isn’t just hot air; it taps into a broader frustration with what many see as a progressive agenda to control speech.
While the imagery on those billboards was undeniably harsh, charging a politician for a campaign message raises thorny questions about where free expression ends and criminality begins.
Meanwhile, SPD isn’t sitting idly by—they’re doubling down with a petition drive for freedom of speech across various locations. Political scientist Miroslav Mareš from Masaryk University noted to Czech Radio, “In individual locations, SPD is carrying out a petition.”
This kind of grassroots push could easily turn a legal battle into campaign fuel, rallying supporters who feel the system is out to get them. Let’s look at the bigger picture: SPD holds a solid 12.8% in recent polls by Stem for CNN Prima News, nipping at the heels of third place.
They’re openly wooing the leading opposition party, ANO, which boasts 31.5% support under Andrej Babiš, though ANO has historically kept SPD at arm’s length on government matters. Still, past collaborations on other fronts show a potential partnership isn’t off the table.
Here’s the kicker—some analysts argue this high-profile case might help Okamura and SPD.
When a party is painted as the underdog fighting a censorious establishment, it often galvanizes the base, especially among voters fed up with what they see as politically correct overreach. Compare that to the ruling SPOLU coalition, led by Petr Fiala, which lags at 19.4% in the same poll.
Their push to hold Okamura accountable might play well with their supporters, but it risks alienating a chunk of the public who view this as targeting opposition voices ahead of a crucial election.
On one side, there’s a call for accountability against rhetoric deemed divisive; on the other, a fierce defense of the right to speak out against policies like the EU migration pact without fear of prosecution.
As the October 2025 national elections draw near, this case could shape the narrative for SPD. Will they emerge as martyrs for free speech, or will the charges stick and damage their credibility? That’s the million-dollar question.