Former Czech populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis attacked at a rally ahead of October elections

PRAGUE AP Former Czech populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis was hospitalized Monday after he was attacked by a man with a walking stick at a rally ahead of next month s parliamentary elections The assault happened in the town of Dobra in eastern Czech Republic Police reported they right now detained the assailant and were inspecting the attack as hooliganism Babis was taken to a hospital in the nearby town of Frydek-Mistek for a anatomical check his centrist ANO YES movement mentioned It was not promptly clear if he was injured Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vit Rakusan condemned the attack calling it unacceptable ANO is at present in the opposition but stands a good chance to win the Oct - parliamentary elections according to community polls Babis who became prime minister in lost the parliamentary voting process He also contended for the largely ceremonial post of president in January but lost to Petr Pavel a retired army general Source