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Vitkov arson trial to begin in May, extraordinary measures to be taken

22 October 2012
2 minute read

The trial of the four young right-wing radicals accused in connection with the arson attack on the home of a Romani family in Vitkov will most probably start on 3 May, exactly one year after more than 3 000 Roma took to the streets across the Czech Republic to protest the brutal, racially motivated attack. The verdict will probably be issued in June. Judge Miloslav Studnicka, who is in charge of the trial, confirmed the dates to the Czech Press Agency today. He also admitted that the main hearing will be accompanied by extraordinary security measures due to the possible attendance of the extremists’ supporters.

“I must first familiarize myself with the file in detail. I presume the main hearing will start on the first business day of May. After the eventual adjornment, it will then continue on 15 June,” the judge said, adding that should there be any exceptional changes to the planning of the main hearings at the Ostrava Regional Court, the trial might start as early as April.

An employee with the court bailiffs has confirmed that security measures will be increased. “We have already discussed it. The measures will concern, for example, steel-tipped boots. Anyone wearing such footwear will have to remove it before walking through the security checkpoint,” he said. The court is also considering the presence of guards armed with shotguns and bullet-proof vests.

Judge Studnicka said he will discuss the extent of the measures with the court bailiffs’ command: “Should the need exceed their capacity, we can call in the prison service. The police would then maintain order and security in the neighborhood of the courthouse.”

The arsonists attacked the home in April 2009. Results of the police investigation indicate three Molotov cocktails were thrown into the dwelling. Three people were injured during the subsequent blaze. The most seriously injured was the infant Natalka, who was not yet two years old. She suffered extensive second and third-degree burns to 80 % of her body. Police have charged an active right-wing extremist in Moravia-Silesia, Jaromir Lukes, as well as Vaclav Cojocaru, both of Opava. Ivo Muller and David Vaculik from Horni Benesov in the Bruntal district have also been charged.

All the accused are promoters of the extreme right. Three of those charged have expressed regret over the act. One man sent a letter of apology to the family concerned, while another says he wishes he could turn back time. Police have charged them with racially motivated attempted murder against multiple individuals, one of them a child. They face up to 15 years in prison, but could also receive extraordinary sentencing, including life sentences.

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