Prague, Sept 3 (CTK) – The Prague Municipal Court will deal on September 22 with a complaint by the Centre of Muslim Communities in the Czech Republic, according to which the part of a police raid on Prague Muslim centres in 2014 that disrupted Muslims’ regular prayer was illegal, CTK has found out.
The Centre of Muslim Communities in the Czech Republic has filed a complaint against the police Squad for Uncovering Organised Crime, the Prague regional police directorate and the foreigner police directorate.
In its complaint that CTK has at its disposal, the centre also demands compensation for the legal expenses that it will incur.
The police penetrated the premises of the Centre of Muslim Communities, the Muslim Community Prague and the Islamic Foundation off Wenceslas Square and on the eastern edge of Prague on April 25, 2014.
The raid took place during a Friday prayer that is of a special importance for Muslims. A number of the prayer participants, including foreign diplomats, complained about the raid.
The participants said they had to lay down with their faces to the ground, that the police pointed their guns at them and that they walked in the prayer rooms in shoes, which is banned by the Muslim religion.
The raid was carried out based on a home search order issued by the Prague 1 district court. The Interior Ministry investigated the case and said the raid did not violate law.
However, Interior Minister Milan Chovanec (Social Democrats, CSSD) said at the same time he comprehends the Muslim community’s indignation and asked the police to take all aspects and risks in account in possible future similar raids.
A police check concluded that the police officers acted before the Friday prayer started and so could not disrupt it. According to the check, the police asked diplomats, women, children and the handicapped to immediately leave the place.
Besides, the police were allegedly informed that the prayer participants may carry weapons, which was confirmed, but they were legally possessed arms.
