"The sentence is three years in prison with a probationary period of five years and a fine of CZK 300 000." The SARM case has gained momentum

The Czech media is currently shaken by the SARM scandal, in which some Czech bodybuilders are involved. Late last year, the Czech Police traced a group that was selling an illegal substance called SARM on the internet between January 2020 and July 2021. Criminals mapped the operation of the five-member group, which bought the substances in China. They then had them "capped" in the Czech Republic and resold them to end users. Advertisements for these substances were available on YouTube and social media. The whole process was carried out by, among others, persons involved in the world of bodybuilding and fitness. These were four men and one woman aged between twenty-seven and thirty-six. During this time, they managed to obtain financial benefits amounting to several million Czech crowns.

This group included well-known Czech professional bodybuilders Filip Grznár and Aleš Bursa.

SARMs are selective androgen receptor modulators, in layman's terms, anabolic steroids, which are banned for sale on the Czech market. Our legislation responds to the abuse of these substances, especially in illegal doping in sport. Thus, substances with anabolic and other hormonal effects are listed in Government Regulation No 454/2009 Coll., which sets out a list of such substances for the purposes of the Criminal Code. Their distribution and possession in large quantities is thus unlawful and punishable under the provisions of Article 288 of the Criminal Code. Source.

All the members were charged with committing the offence of Production and Other Disposal of Substances with Hormonal Effect in the first and third paragraphs of the Criminal Code, for which they could face up to eight years' imprisonment if convicted. Some of them were prosecuted as members of an organised group.

Post by Aleš Bursa from 24.4.2020

Even Robert Humpál made a video about the dangers of using these substances. He wanted to inform the general public to beware of these supposedly harmless pills!

The case is nearing its conclusion, however, as the District Court for Prague 5 has handed down sentences for four of the accused.

Aleš Bursa received a suspended sentence of three years in prison with a probationary period of five years and a fine of CZK 300 000. This is the harshest suspended sentence. It included the fact that police found several dozen millilitres of additional anabolic steroids at the bodybuilder's home for personal use.

"I was not relieved of my confidentiality. I am informing you that my client is a very honest person, a true athlete, and he was a person who was misled in the whole matter," said Bursa's attorney Miroslav Ťupa.

The main trial of Filip Grznar is still pending, as he, unlike Ales, has not admitted to selling and distributing SARMs.

Seized items

Sources policie.cz, zpravy.aktualne.cz