Czech Police seek witnesses to assault on Romani man in Havířov

Police officers are seeking any possible witnesses to an attack committed against a 49-year-old Romani man that took place on 20 August in front of the Petr Bezruč House of Culture shortly after 21:00. Czech daily Deník reported the police announcement on 4 September.

“The assailant punched and verbally insulted the man because of his membership in an ethnic group. The victim managed to ward off some of the blows and tried to flee, but the youth caught up to him on the grass of a traffic meridian and assaulted him again, shouting racist insults once more. The aggressive youth did not stop his assault until passers-by started shouting at him. The victim has suffered a fractured fibula that will take three months to heal,” Zlatuše Viačková, spokesperson for the Havířov Police, told Deník. “A 28-year-old suspect was detained for questioning in the case, but police were unable to prove he had participated in the assault and released him from custody. A 21-year-old man was then remanded into custody on suspicion of having been the assailant. The Police Commissioner has initiated criminal proceedings against him and charged him with committing grievous bodily harm because of the victim’s actual or assumed race, membership in an ethnic group, or nationality. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison,” she said.

Witnesses who might be able to contribute to clarifying this incident in any way should call 974 744 339 or 974 744 338.