In Prague, police responded to a rally held on March 11, where participants displayed St. George ribbons, the letter Z, and Russian symbols. Investigators opened a case against two men on suspicion of actions related to legitimizing, inciting, and endorsing genocide, according to officials cited by a local news outlet. The incident has sparked ongoing inquiries into the alleged political associations of those involved and the symbols they chose to carry at the event. [Seznam Zprávy]
Reports indicate that the two men wore insignias featuring the letter Z, the St. George ribbon, and the Russian flag while taking part in what organizers described as a campaign under the banner Czech Republic Against Poverty. The public statements from the police characterized the participants as having engaged in provocative demonstrations that drew scrutiny from law enforcement for potential extremist implications. [Seznam Zprávy]
A police spokesperson stated that charges were filed against both demonstrators on suspicion of legitimizing, inciting, and approving genocide. The announcement underscored the seriousness with which the authorities have approached symbols associated with violent regimes and historical crimes, signaling an ongoing legal process rather than a simple protest action. [Seznam Zprávy]
Local media identified the suspects as brothers Zdenek and Piotr Kucera, residents of the village Duchtsov. Investigators reportedly linked the pair to far-right circles, including associations with the Social Justice Workers Party, which has attracted attention from watchdog groups monitoring extremist activity. The case continues to unfold as prosecutors gather further evidence and context surrounding the rally. [Seznam Zprávy]
Earlier in the week, a separate court decision in Prague’s 1st District Court resulted in a suspended sentence for a participant connected to the same rally, granting six months in prison with a two-year suspension and banning the individual from remaining in Prague for a year. The individual arrived at the demonstration carrying symbols tied to Wagner PMC and the letter Z in a backpack, contributing to the broader narrative around the event and the range of responses it provoked among authorities and observers. [Seznam Zprávy]