Czech sculptor Pavel Opocensky sentenced to prison for child molestation amid societal debates on youth sexuality

Pavel Opocensky, a 49-year-old jewelry designer and sculptor from the Czech Republic, received a three-year prison sentence for molesting two Romani girls, aged eight and twelve, in August 2002. The girls alleged that he offered them money to strip while he masturbated. Opocensky contended that he was unaware of their ages due to societal influences. This incident occurred after a prior event in which he fatally shot a skinhead in self-defense. The Czech Republic’s stigma surrounding psychology complicates rehabilitation efforts, often leading to incarceration instead. Although he had public commissions in Prague, Opocensky's remarks about young girls were frequently regarded as peculiar. The media sensationalized the situation, with Opocensky declaring, "I am not a pervert."