Czech Republic: Police increase security in the vicinity of universities in several urban centers, March 11

Authorities have increased security measures in the vicinity of multiple universities across the Czech Republic on March 11 after threatening emails were sent to several facilities. The sender of the email reportedly threatened to conduct a shooting at one of the universities if their ransom demand was not met. Police have not confirmed which universities received threatening emails; however, the media has identified at least six universities in Prague, Pilsen, Olomouc, Brno, and Usti nad Labem believed to have been in contact with police. Police state the threat is not limited to March 11; increased security measures will likely persist over the coming days or until the perpetrator is identified and apprehended.

Police have deployed additional units near several universities, including Charles University in Prague, which suffered a mass shooting in December 2023. Additional police patrols and checks are likely. While authorities have not confirmed the credibility of the threat, police will respond out of an abundance of caution.