Nazis disturb the peace overnight in Plzeň area after march, police charge three

Regional Police charged three men today on suspicion of drunkenly shouting neo-Nazi slogans and giving the Nazi salute during the early morning hours at a bar in Nýřany, northern Plzeň Region. Jana Václavová, spokesperson for the Regional Police, told the Czech Press Agency today that police were called to the scene at 1 AM by an anonymous witness. Police did not say whether the men might have participated in the Saturday afternoon march by right-wing extremists in the town of Plzeň which local authorities dispersed almost immediately after it began.

Police charged two men from the Plzeň area aged 34 and 40 and a 19-year-old male from the Klatovy area with the crime of establishing, supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms, as well as with rioting. The 34-year-old was also charged with defaming a nation, race, ethnic or other group. “Police officers determined that he had verbally insulted and physically assaulted a 24-year-old woman. He punched her in the right ear,” Václavová said.

Police detained a total of six people in connection with Saturday’s march in Plzeň on suspicion of promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms or of displaying sympathy for such a movement. Those detained had displayed objectionable slogans or symbols either on their clothing or as tattoos. Václavová said police will decide whether to press charges after reviewing the evidence, primarily on the basis of expert evaluations. “Otherwise there were no disturbances in Plzeň yesterday, including during the night,” she said. More police were on patrol there than usual; in addition to the dispersed extremist march, there was also a football match and traditional student celebrations.