The mayor and two heads of the districts of Prague were taken into custody due to a threat from Russia, writes the Czech journal Respekt without indicating the source of the information. According to the publication, the authorities fear that they will be in danger after the dismantling of the monument to the Soviet military commander Ivan Konev and the preparation of the installation of the memorial plate to the soldiers of the Russian Liberation Army.
According to the newspaper, the head of Prague Zdenek Grzyb, the head of the Rzhepory Pavel Novotny district and the head of the Prague 6 district, Ondřej Kolář, are under police protection. In the first two cases, protection is preventive in nature, writes Respekt. Kolarge has already received death threats.
In an interview with Radio Liberty, the head of the Rzhepory district Pavel Novotny He confirmed that he had received temporary protection and told why it was granted to him.
– When did you get protection and for what reasons?
“The only thing I can confirm is that I received short-term protection from the Czech police, but, unfortunately, I cannot give a reason.” Everyone around says it is because of the Russians. I can only confirm that I have security, and if you think that it is provided unreasonably, you can read social networks.
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– You were threatened after you published on your Facebook information that a memorial plaque in memory of the participation of the Vlasov movement in the Prague uprising is already ready and will be installed in the near future? Or after Prague 6 decided to move the monument to Konev?
“It seems to me that doesn’t matter.” If someone sends open threats, this usually means that you should not expect a real attack from him. I have been receiving threats for many years. Usually I don’t even report it to the police. I’m not afraid of anyone – fear would be the last reason I could do anything. I have been in journalism for many years and I know that verbal threats do not turn into real ones. If someone wants to kill me, he will do it and will not inform you in advance of this in writing. Of course, I get threats, sometimes very aggressive ones. On my right hand on my desk are 50 anonymous letters about which nothing is known to the police. The only thing I handed over to the police was two or three anti-Semitic letters that were not related to me, but related to hatred towards Jews.
– And your colleagues, for example, the head of the Prague 6 district, Ondřej Kolář, also encountered a similar stream of letters? After all, he is now entitled to protection?
– I read about it in the news. He probably got it too. I think there were reasons for this. After all, he removed the disgusting statue of the killer. But I won’t be surprised if it is connected with some vile threatening letter.
– Do you receive such letters with threats, including from Russia?
– No, fortunately, I do not receive. It seems to me that they have already lost the desire to talk with me. And I understand them. Interestingly, a report was already shown on Russian television that the stove was installed. It’s difficult for them to talk to me now: I am telling the truth, they are telling a lie. On our tablet is written the pure truth about the Vlasovites – as it was. As I promised, there are no historical ratings in the text (On the memorial plaque there is a text stating that in Rzhepory during the Prague uprising, the leadership of the first division of the ROA decided to come to the aid of the rebels. The text mentions an ambiguous perception of the historical role of the Vlasovites, however, it is emphasized that without their help it would be impossible to save Prague from the Nazi troops. “300 soldiers of the Russian Liberation Army died for the liberation of Prague,” – it is written on a memorial plate. – Note.RS)
– When will this memorial plate be installed?
– I had no plans to arrange any celebrations on this occasion, even when there was no epidemic of coronavirus. I need peace in Rzhepory. When quarantine is over, war will come, it’s understandable, but at least it will be calm on the anniversary of World War II. I will not say the exact date, but by May 5, I would like all the monuments in Rzhepory to be in perfect order. Two other memorial plaques, which do not particularly concern anyone, have already been made and hanged, and as for Vlasov’s, everything is ready, but I want to take up the defense. I intend to protect myself from those who are already expectantly rubbing their hands. I am now thinking about what kind of security to install next to this plate. I’m sure the trolls will reach here to show themselves. And I would like to set up a camera with a recording. If a pro-Russian activist or an ardent lover of the Great Victory arrives here, I want him to fall into the trap, and I will prepare it, because it seems to me that this monument does not expect an easy life, says Pavel Novotny, the head of the Rzhepory district.
According to the publication Respekt, the Czech intelligence services tracked the arrival of a Russian citizen in Prague, who could be dangerous for Koláře. In addition, they found a group of Russian intelligence officers moving from Russia to Europe, which may be related to the situation.
April 3 in Prague was 6 dismantled Monument to Konev. The monument will be transferred to the emerging Museum of the memory of the XX century. The removal of the sculpture caused sharp criticism from Russia, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on the rehabilitation of Nazism. After removing the sculpture, the kolář declared that the monument did not have a mask on its face, and now it is required by all residents of Prague who go out into the street.
In Rzhepory in May, a memorial plaque is planned for fighters of the collaborationist Russian liberation army, who provided armed assistance to the Prague uprising in 1945. This initiative also caused a sharp reaction from the Russian authorities.
Under Grzhib in Prague, the Russian Embassy acquired a square named after the murdered oppositionist Boris Nemtsov and an avenue named after the murdered Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
Grzhib confirmed to the publication that he was guarded by the police, but did not specify the reasons for the protection. Kolarge refused to comment on the topic. Novotny’s comment is not given.
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