Search
25.9.2023
NEWS

HISTORY

TRADITIONS, CULTURE

PERSONALITIES

USEFUL CONTACTS

PHOTOS OF THE ROMA

VARIOUS

RADIO PRAGUE










Česky English Deutsch Francais
Czech president surprised by long terms for neo-Nazis convicted over petrol-bomb attack on Romany home
21-10-2010 - Ian Willoughby
Four Czech neo-Nazis on Wednesday received prison terms of 22 and 20 years for attempted murder after a shocking petrol bomb attack on a Romany family’s home last year. The unusual length of the sentences has provoked some debate in the Czech Republic; the country’s president has expressed surprise that the punishment is so severe, while others have welcomed the verdict.

Photo: CTK Handing down the verdict in an Ostrava court on Wednesday, judge Miloslav Studnička said the defendants had set out to kill in what was a premeditated attack, and compared their actions to what the Nazis did on Kristallnacht in 1938.

The four young men petrol-bombed the Romany family’s home on the night of April 18 last year, intending to honour the anniversary of the birth of Hitler, two days later. The house was gutted and the family’s youngest daughter was so badly burned doctors said it was a miracle she survived.

All four neo-Nazis were given what are known under Czech law as extraordinary sentences. Three of them received terms of 22 years behind bars, while the fourth got a 20-year term. They were also fined a total of CZK 17 million or nearly USD 1 million.

Soon after the rulings were read out a debate began as to whether such long sentences were appropriate – a debate greatly stoked by the participation of the Czech president, Václav Klaus.

Václav Klaus, photo: CTK Mr Klaus said the sentences had seemed to him “unexpectedly high”. He said he wondered if that was really the best way to prevent similar things happening again in the future.

The Czech prime minister, by contrast, was satisfied with the outcome of the closely watched trial. Petr Nečas said he regarded the punishment as completely appropriate, and the sentence “the minimum”.

Mr Nečas’s advisor Roman Joch went some way further, saying such crimes ought to carry the death penalty.

Such widely differing views were reflected on Czech internet forums, with some hailing the tough jail terms and others saying they were too severe.

Miroslav Mareš of Masaryk University in Brno is one of the Czech Republic’s leading experts on far-right extremism. He gave his reaction to the verdict.

“It is something uncommon in the previous practice of Czech justice. On the other hand, it is according to Czech law, which has the possibility to give such harsh sentences to perpetrators of racial crimes or crimes against children.”

Miroslav Mareš The political scientist said the outcome of the trial could deter some and galvanise others on the far-right in the Czech Republic.

“For part of the neo-Nazi scene it is a threat for the future. On the other hand, we can read on some neo-Nazi discussions on the internet that for some it’s only a challenge for a harder and more conspiratorial fight against their racial enemies.”

In the meantime, the issue of whether jail terms of 22 and 20 years are adequate is not likely to disappear. All four of those convicted on Wednesday have appealed.



Related articles
DateTitleFeature
20.10.2010Court hands tough sentences to Romany family’s attackersNews
06.10.2010State attorney demands exemplary sentences for neo-Nazis in arson-attack caseNews
11.09.2010Key witness in arson case refuses to give evidenceNews
07.09.2010Charity concert „For Natálka“News
29.06.2010Suspected arsonist caught on tape praising ‘dudes’ who shot Hungarian RomaNews
27.05.2010Vítkov trial expert describes Natálka’s horrific injuriesNews
25.05.2010Four accused of firebomb attack on Romany home not insane, psychiatrist tells courtNews
11.05.2010Trial of four accused of racially-motivated attempted murder beginsNews
06.04.2010Police investigate latest attack against RomaniesNews
All related articles
Article
Format for printing
Send as e-mail

Also in section "News"
31.10.19  Roma children’s choir Chavorenge and members of the Czech Philharmonic to perform in UK
13.09.19  Archaeologists discover graves of Roma persecuted during WWII in Lety camp
02.06.19  Ida Kelarová and her Romany children’s choir Chavorenge
29.05.19  Two Roma activists to receive Charter 77’s František Kriegel Award
07.04.19  Romany music from the Czech Republic
13.03.19  Czech singer Věra Bílá, dubbed the Ella Fitzgerald of Gypsy music, dies days before her comeback tour
21.11.18  Roma social worker from Ostrava listed on BBC 100 Women list
12.10.18  Why are there so few Roma politicians?
17.09.18  Virtuoso pianist Tomáš Kačo: When I tell somebody I’m a Gypsy in the US, they’re excited about it
06.06.18  Study indicates ethnic hate is contagious
Archive of the section

Most popular articles
3153053   26.02.00 Some Basic Information about the Roma Population in the Czech Republic
290319   27.01.05 The 'Devouring': A look at the Romani Holocaust
184516   26.02.00 The History and Origin of the Roma
141463   26.02.02 The Language of the Roma
107706   13.06.00 The History of the Roma Minority in the Czech Republic
105260   26.02.00 The Traditional Family Life of the Czech Roma
103929   02.06.03 The Roma Holocaust
88238    World famous Roma Personalities
88174   21.02.04 Extreme right activists demonstrate for skinhead in jail
74801    Photographs by Romani Children
Copyright © Český rozhlas / Czech Radio, 1997-2023
Vinohradská 12, 120 99 Praha 2, Czech Republic
E-mail: info@romove.cz