Czech right-wing extremists who attacked US singer to face trial

The Czech state prosecutor has filed charges against two sympathizers of the DSSS who attacked American singer Tonya Graves last year. A 34-year-old man from Strakonice is charged with rioting, while a 25-year-old man from Volyně is charged with racially motivated physical assault. The younger man could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

At the end of last November, the singer was performing in the town of Vimperk. Prior to her concert, a rally was held in the town by promoters of the right-wing extremist Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS). The singer described the incident as follows: “In the restaurant I encountered some people from the Workers’ Social Justice Party. I was alone and it was an unpleasant encounter, they were not happy to see me there. They started shouting racist slogans at me, pulling my hair and spitting on me.”

Witnesses have confirmed Graves’ description of events. The assault on her provoked a brawl in the restaurant when other customers came to her defense.

Both defendants have been previously convicted of violent crimes and crimes against property. “They have also promoted movements that promote Nazism”, said František Skabalík of the South Bohemian Police.