Scandal at the Convoy of Liberty: Couple waved a Nazi swastika, Czech Police are investigating
On 5 May a man and woman from the Czech Republic joined the Convoy of Liberty parade in Plzeň and waved a small flag with a Nazi swastika. Police suspect them of supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms and of being accomplices to disorderly conduct.
Police spokesperson Michaela Raindlová told the Czech News Agency (ČTK) that the case is being handled through an accelerated proceeding. If convicted, the couple faces up to five years in prison.
The incident happened around noon during the Convoy of Liberty parade, which is the most-visited event of the annual Liberation Festival in Plzeň marking that city’s liberation by the U. S. Army and the end of the Second World War in Europe. “We looked into the entire incident thoroughly and communicated to two persons that they are suspected of the offense of supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms and of being accomplices to disorderly conduct,” Raindlová said.
According to the spokesperson, police communicated the suspicions in an accelerated proceedings, which is not the same as an investigation. “We are handing the entire file over to the Office of the Prosecutor now, which will take the next steps,” she said.
The prosecutor can order further investigation or the case can be sent straight to court. The man and woman currently have the status of suspects and charges have not yet been filed.
Police responded to video footage of the incident posted on X. It shows an historical U. S. Army supply truck in the parade and somebody seated in the cabin waving a small flag with the Nazi swastika.
Police ascertained the identity of the man and woman involved that afternoon. Police also confirmed that they had waved such a small flag with the Nazi swastika.
Police officers cooperated with City Hall and the organizers of the parade when screening the video footage. “Such behavior is completely unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The police are already looking into the case. I believe the perpetrators will be punished according to the applicable legislation,” said the Mayor of Plzeň, Roman Zarzycký (Association of Dissatisfied Citizens – ANO).
According to the mayor, the couple are not members of any traditional military club, but participated in the convoy as individuals. Pavel Rogl, head of the Club of the Military History of the 16th Armed Division, which is one of the convoy’s main organizers, told the press on Sunday that: “They’re Jeep aficionados, they don’t have anything to do with us. The police are looking into it, they know about it, I’ve already spoken with them.”
“I am unable to comment on anything about this, I should consult a lawyer,” the 41-year-old male suspect from Prachatice told news server Novinky.cz. Prior to making that statement, however, he did admit that he understands the whole thing to have been a mistake and a big misunderstanding.
“Detectives forbade me to make any statements about this whole thing,” the male suspect said, confirming that police are looking into the matter. The Convoy of Liberty featuring more than 300 historical American military vehicles drove through Plzeň between 11:00 and 13:00.
There were 20 Jeeps in the convoy carrying descendants of the American and Belgian veterans who liberated the city in May 1945. Thousands of people lined both sides of the road along the almost five-kilometer route and watched from the tops of buildings and from windows, some carrying American and Czech flags and lilacs.
The convoy drove down the main avenue, Klatovská třída and down Roosevelt Street to the vast Republic Square, which was totally full. People could look at some of the vehicles and speak with the relatives of the veterans.
