Czech Vsetin evicts Romany family over repeated disturbance

A Czech court today decided that the Romany family of Mozoliks must leave its flat over repeated disturbance, the public Czech Television (CT) reported today.

Eva Stejskalova, spokeswoman for the Vsetin town hall, said the family violated good morals in the house for a long time. It flooded its neighbours' flat, disturbed their sleep and destroyed parts of the house.

The Mozoliks were evicted even though they were not rent defaulters. They will not receive any alternative housing, CT said.

Stejskalova said the town's authorities evicted 20 rent defaulters last year.

In autumn 2005, Vsetin authorities resettled a number of Romany families. The step caused a lot of controversy in Czech society. It was sharply criticised by not only Romany organisations and other human rights activists but also some politicians.

The case is connected with then Vsetin mayor Jiri Cunek who is now the leader of the junior ruling Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).