Governor of the South Bohemian Region Martin Kuba (Civic Democratic Party - ODS) and Governor of the Pardubice Region Martin Netolický (Czech Social Democratic Party - ČSSD) claimed during a CNN Prima News program broadcast on 21 April that a "specific group" of people allegedly abusing social benefits has been coming to the Czech Republic from Ukraine. Although neither politician used the word "Roma" during the show, it was clear that they were talking about the Romani refugees fleeing Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The entire program started with a reportage on the Romani refugees living in tents at the Regional Assistance Center for Aid to Ukraine (KACPU) in Prague's Vysočany quarter. Both governors are thereby continuing the hateful rhetoric against Romani refugees that was begun by the Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Ivo Vondrák, who had previously accused Romani refugees from Ukraine of theft.
The police have said that they have not had to solve any such thefts. The Romea.cz news server found that Romani refugees were being automatically segregated by the Czech staff from all other refugees at Ostrava's refugee aid center.
