"Cynical actions of the municipal authorities of Prague": the UK instituted proceedings after the demolition of the monument to Marshal Konev

The Investigative Committee opened a criminal investigation into the dismantling of a monument to the liberator of Auschwitz and Czechoslovakia to Soviet Marshal Ivan Stepanovich Konev in Prague. This was reported by the official representative of the department Svetlana Petrenko.

“A criminal case has been opened in the main investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on the grounds of a crime under Part 3 of Art. 354.1 of the Criminal Code ("The desecration of the symbols of military glory of Russia, committed publicly"), "- said in a statement.

The department reminded that the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev was unveiled on May 9, 1980 at the Interbrigade Square in Prague "as a historical reminder of saving the city from complete destruction by the Nazi invaders when it was liberated from the occupying forces in May 1945."

On April 3, a group of people using a crane removed the statue from the pedestal, and also knocked down memorabilia.

“According to the investigation, by such cynical actions, the municipal authorities of Prague grossly violated the obligations undertaken by the Czech Republic under bilateral agreements with the Russian Federation, demonstrating their disregard for the common memory and history of the struggle of the Soviet people against fascism,” Petrenko added.

Earlier, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu asked the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, to prosecute foreign officials responsible for the demolition of the monument.

During a briefing on April 9, an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, noted that the demolition of a monument erected in 1980 on the initiative of the citizens of Prague themselves was an act of political vandalism.

“The crime committed in Prague can become a long-term irritant in our bilateral relations and, without a doubt, will not remain unanswered. I want to say that when I said the word “crime”, of course, this carries a political assessment. But I have no doubt that this action will also be evaluated from a legal point of view, ”said Zakharova.

“The immoral, blasphemous and absolutely politicized actions of Prague”

Anton Morozov, a member of the State Duma’s committee on international affairs, said in an interview with RT that he considered it reasonable to initiate a criminal case by Russian investigators.

“I think this is a fair statement of the issue. And it is good that the Investigative Committee has finally become involved in such issues. Since, indeed, an insult to the memory of war heroes is very sensitive for us. And we have the opportunity to respond to such unfriendly steps with the help of certain financial and economic instruments. Therefore, if the criminal case is brought to court, I think Russia will be able to give an adequate response to such unfriendly actions, ”he said.

In turn, the head of the international committee of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, called the actions of the authorities of Prague “immoral, blasphemous and absolutely politicized”. The senator also added that what happened "radically complicates and burdens modern relations" between the countries.

“The monument to Konev was erected in gratitude for the fact that he and his fellow soldiers rescued the capital of then Czechoslovakia during the Prague uprising from complete destruction by the Nazis. The wonderful city of Prague, the way we know it, the way we love it, the people who made the decision to demolish the monument, lives in this city only because there were human casualties and the feat of soldiers and officers of the Red Army , which was led by Marshal Konev, ”said the interlocutor of RT.

Recall, on April 3, a monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev was dismantled in the Czech capital. At the same time, the head of the municipality, Ondřej Kolář, in social networks accompanied this news with offensive statements. In addition, according to him, the monument will be transferred to the “Museum of the 20th Century Memory”, the opening date of which has not yet been determined. At the site of the monument, the Soviet commander is going to erect a memorial in memory of the liberation of the capital of Czechoslovakia in May 1945.

According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, Moscow "does not understand and do not accept" the actions of the leaders of one of the municipalities of Prague.

“We regret in this regard, and we, of course, would still prefer to see this monument restored - restored or on Czech soil, the inhabitants of which, in our opinion, should be grateful to this person, or - if necessary - on Russian soil ", - he said.