Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, now leader of the opposition ANO party, was struck in the head with a metal object by a man during an election rally, the Czech News Agency reported.

The incident took place in the eastern city of Dobra. Babiš, who was prime minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021, was taken to hospital for examination after the attack, the agency said, citing an ANO spokesperson.

It is not yet clear how serious his injuries are.

Czech police said on X that officers at the scene immediately detained the attacker and that the case is under investigation.

ANO First Vice-Chairman Karel Havlíček wrote on X that the incident was one of the consequences of a "hate campaign" which he said was being waged by political opponents.

In response to the attack, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan stressed that violence in any form was unacceptable. 

"I unconditionally condemn today's attack on Andrej Babiš. Let us seek a better future for our country through a clash of arguments and ideas, not through physical violence," he added. | BGNES