“A criminal case has been opened on the grounds of a crime ...“ desecration of the symbols of Russia's military glory committed publicly, ”the agency’s website says.
The report notes that on April 3, the monument to Ivan Konev was desecrated: a group of people removed the statue from the pedestal using a crane and ropes, and commemorative inscriptions were also shot down.
“According to the investigation, by such cynical actions, the municipal authorities of Prague grossly violated the obligations undertaken by the Czech Republic in the framework of bilateral agreements with the Russian Federation, demonstrating their disregard for the common memory and history of the struggle of the Soviet people against fascism,” the UK said.
Earlier, the Czech Foreign Ministry commented on the decision of the Prague authorities to demolish the monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev. The ministry said that "moving the monument is not a violation of any of the existing international treaties between the Czech Republic and Russia." It is noted that if the Czech Republic relocates the monument to Marshal to another “worthy place”, in particular to the Museum of the twentieth century, which is planned to be created in Prague, this will not be a violation of the 1996 Agreement on Friendly Relations with Russia.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu turned to the UK with a request to prosecute foreign officials responsible for the demolition of monuments to Soviet citizens, and also asked a Czech colleague Lubomir Metnar to hand over the pedestal to Moscow.