Court in Olomouc hears poisoned drinks case at arms factory; defendant faces life sentence
A 48-year-old man from Moravský Beroun appeared before a panel of the regional court after being accused of contaminating cola with toxic substances at a weapons company and poisoning beverages around Olomouc. One employee died, another has permanent kidney damage. The prosecutor is seeking 25 years
Court in Olomouc hears poisoned drinks case at arms factory; defendant faces life sentence
A panel of the Olomouc branch of the Regional Court in Olomouc began proceedings on Thursday with 48-year-old Jiří Kudlička from Moravský Beroun. He faces charges of murder, attempted murder and preparation of another killing. If convicted, he faces a sentence of between 18 years and an exceptional sentence including life imprisonment.
According to the indictment, in 2024 the man allegedly prepared cola mixed with Fridex for employees at Excalibur Army in Šternberk, where he worked. Two workers consumed it and suffered serious poisoning. One of them subsequently died, the other has permanently damaged kidneys.
In 2025, the defendant allegedly placed bottles and cartons containing beverages with toxic additives—morphine or lead compounds—at locations around Olomouc where homeless people frequent. Prosecutor Jindřich Pazdera stated that it was a premeditated placement of poisoned drinks with the aim of killing random consumers. The attack was only prevented by prompt police intervention.
The investigation further revealed that the defendant sought out chemicals to manufacture an explosive device that he intended to aim at responding police officers. During a house search, substances suitable for making explosives and other dangerous material were secured. Police came across Kudlička's activities while investigating other criminal conduct. The state prosecutor proposes a sentence of 25 years imprisonment and preventive detention.
The defendant denied guilt on two counts of the indictment and partially on a third. He then exercised his right not to testify. His lawyer argues that there is no direct evidence of who placed the contaminated drink in the refrigerator. The chemicals allegedly lay at home for several years and were used for household purposes.
Source: Novinky.cz