Czech president released from hospital after motorbike crash

Czech President Petr Pavel was released from hospital on Friday after staying there overnight following a motorbike crash, his office said on X.

The 62-year-old, in office since March 2023, suffered light injuries after crashing on a closed circuit track on Thursday.

"President Pavel was released from hospital into home care this morning," Pavel's office said.

"He got injured in a fall at a low speed while practising on a closed off-road circuit," it added.

Pavel's office said the president's programme for next week remains unchanged.

Pavel is expected to meet NATO foreign ministers attending an informal meeting in Prague next Thursday, according to a diplomatic source.

A former NATO general, Pavel is known for his passion as a motorcyclist and rides a BMW R1200 GS.

He rode a motorbike for a visit to neighbouring Germany shortly after his inauguration.

Last summer, Pavel got in trouble after media published images of him riding a motorbike without a helmet.