Czech police find weapons at Palestinian embassy

PRAGUE - Czech police have found 12 weapons, including pistols and submachine guns at the Palestinian embassy in Prague after a blast killed its ambassador on Wednesday, Czech police head Martin Cervicek said on Sunday.

"I've confirmed the (uncovering of) 12 pieces of weapons. Genetic and ballistic expertises are underway now. After the results are known, we will specify what concrete types of weapons are involved," said Cervicek.

Palestine insists that the uncovered weapons are legal. "We told them (the Czech side) that these guns have been in the embassy for a long time - going back to the former regime of Czechoslovakia - and these guns were either licensed in the embassy or were given as gifts to the ambassador," Palestinian deputy foreign minister Taysir Jaradat was quoted as saying.

Czech police spokeswoman Andrea Zoulova said the police would continue investigating the case. She said that the investigators have been assisted by bomb-disposal and other experts, and more witnesses have been questioned.

She said the police are examining whether the weapons found have been used to commit a crime in the Czech Republic. The police would not specify their number or type also for tactical reasons, before the questioning of witnesses is completed.

Palestinian Ambassador to Czech Republic Jamal al-Jamal was killed in a safe explosion at the embassy on Wednesday. His funeral will take place in Ramallah on Jan 8.