Czech journalist faces hate campaign after exposing abuse allegations against MEP

PRAGUE – Apolena Rychlíková, editor-in-chief of the investigative outlet Page Not Found, has become the target of a coordinated online abuse campaign after publishing a report detailing a criminal complaint against far-right Czech MEP Filip Turek, filed by his former partner.

The complaint accuses him of rape and long-term abuse. Although the alleged incidents are beyond the statute of limitations and Turek denied any wrongdoing, the case has drawn significant political and public attention in Czechia just months before the national parliamentary elections, in which Turek is a candidate of the far-right Motorists party.

Since publication, Rychlíková has received a flood of vulgar messages and threats on social media. According to the Czech Committee of the International Press Institute (CZ IPI), the harassment campaign has included sexualised insults and attacks targeting her appearance and family.

CZ IPI condemned the abuse as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence a journalist.

Of particular concern is the role of a pro-Turek social media account named “Hranatost,” which has circulated offensive content and listed the Motorists party as a sponsor or author of some posts.

“We consider situations in which disparagement campaigns are helped by people close to political parties to be particularly dangerous, because they can expose journalists to a real threat from supporters of the politicians in question,” the CZ IPI statement reads.

The Motorists party has dismissed the allegations against Turek as politically motivated. Party chair Petr Macinka accused Rychlíková of launching a smear campaign and announced a criminal complaint for defamation. The party has also called on police to investigate the matter.

(cs)