Mar 02, 2022, 00:43 am
Written by Joe Lauria
Published: March 1, 2022
The Supreme State Prosecutor of the Czech Republic has warned its citizens that they can wind up in jail if they utter agreement with Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
“The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office considers it necessary to inform citizens that the current situation associated with the Russian Federation’s attack on Ukraine may have implications for their freedom of expression,” began a statement from the office, dated Feb. 26.
“If someone publicly (including demonstrations, the Internet or social networks) agreed (accepted or supported the Russian Federation’s attacks on Ukraine) or expressed support or praised the leaders of the Russian Federation in this regard, they could also face criminal liability under certain conditions,” the statement says.
The laws the statement cites include prohibition against “approving of a criminal offense” and “denying, questioning, approving and justifying genocide.” The Czech Republic is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
![[Image: Aktv3gcr_o.jpg]](https://images2.imgbox.com/23/a4/Aktv3gcr_o.jpg)
Radio Prague International reported that police have begun to monitor online communications to look for offenders.
The Czech news site TN-CZ reported that:
According to the Ukrainian embassy in Prague, two people have already been arrested under these statutes for supporting Russia. It tweeted, according to Google’s translation:
The announcement, however, has drawn sharp criticism on social media.
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/01/ja...ervention/
Published: March 1, 2022
The Supreme State Prosecutor of the Czech Republic has warned its citizens that they can wind up in jail if they utter agreement with Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
“The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office considers it necessary to inform citizens that the current situation associated with the Russian Federation’s attack on Ukraine may have implications for their freedom of expression,” began a statement from the office, dated Feb. 26.
“If someone publicly (including demonstrations, the Internet or social networks) agreed (accepted or supported the Russian Federation’s attacks on Ukraine) or expressed support or praised the leaders of the Russian Federation in this regard, they could also face criminal liability under certain conditions,” the statement says.
The laws the statement cites include prohibition against “approving of a criminal offense” and “denying, questioning, approving and justifying genocide.” The Czech Republic is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
Radio Prague International reported that police have begun to monitor online communications to look for offenders.
Quote:“The chief public prosecutor, Igor Stríž, has warned that public support for the Russian aggression against Ukraine expressed at demonstrations or on social networks can currently be considered a criminal offense. He warned citizens to respect freedom of speech and not to exceed its limits. Under Czech law support for crimes against humanity or genocide are punishable by up to three years in jail. At the same time, St?íž added that the legal assessment of such acts is very complicated.
Quote:Police Presidium spokesman Ondrej Moravcík confirmed that the police will monitor potential excesses not only at public gatherings, but also in cyberspace.”
The Czech news site TN-CZ reported that:
Quote:“Czech police are already investigating dozens of complaints from people who reported that someone had publicly approved and supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, Attorney General Igor Stríž warned that he could face up to three years in prison for supporting Russian aggression, for example on demonstrations or social networks.”
According to the Ukrainian embassy in Prague, two people have already been arrested under these statutes for supporting Russia. It tweeted, according to Google’s translation:
Quote:“Czech law enforcement warns that public approval of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could be classified as a ‘crime of denial, questioning, approval and justification of GENOCIDE. There are already two first cases of detainees incriminated in this paragraph of the Criminal Code.”
?????? ????????????? ?????? ????????????, ?? ???????? ????????? ??????????? ?????????? ? ??????? ???? ??????????????? ?? "?????? ???????????, ????????? ??? ??????, ????????? ? ??????????????? ????????".
??? ? ??? ????? ??????? ??????????, ???? ???????????? ??? ???????? ??.
— UKR Embassy in CZE (@UKRinCZE) February 27, 2022
The announcement, however, has drawn sharp criticism on social media.
Quote:I'm Czech. It's true. They are shutting down pro-russian websites and law enforcement is warning people, that if you say things supportive of Kremlin, it's actions in Ukraine, or if you deny that Russia is commiting war crimes, you can go to jail.
— Artur Cvejn (@ACvejn) March 1, 2022
Quote:I do not support Russia, but this statement is clearly against freedom of thought and democracy.
— Conflict Analysis (@conflicttnews) March 1, 2022
Quote:Wow that's a big step for 'democracy'.
— Nobody (@epicabnerl) March 1, 2022
Quote:No you aren’t at war, Ukraine is. EU is the new USSR, learn to love the boot on your neck it will only get larger and heavier as they consolidate power and turn into uniparty to hold it
— Thecardiak (@thecardiak) March 1, 2022
Quote:Jesus. The West is finished.
— Tim Owen (@oddlots) March 1, 2022
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/01/ja...ervention/