Prague, May 4 (CTK) – Czech politicians say South Moravian Region governor Michal Hasek’s (ruling Social Democrats, CSSD) meeting the Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves, known for its relations with President Vladimir Putin, at Brno Central Cemetery on Tuesday was a big mistake and shame.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD) said he does not like the Night Wolves.
Labour and Social Affairs Minister and Chamber of Deputies chairman Jan Hamacek (both CSSD) said they would not meet the group.
Culture Minister Daniel Herman (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) said the deeds of everyone show what they are like.
Hasek posted his photograph together with the bikers at the on his Facebook profile on Tuesday. Hasek told CTK that he accompanied the Russian general consul seated in Brno to the cemetery and paid his respects to the Soviet troops who fell during the liberation of Brno and south Moravia in 1945.
He said he will go there again on May 8 and 9 to mark the end of World War Two.
Some 80 Night Wolves are passing the Czech Republic and honouring the Soviet soldiers who died during World War Two on their annual ride to Berlin to celebrate the Victory. As the border police did not let them enter Poland last weekend, a part of the bikers flew to Bratislava on Monday. On Tuesday, they visited Brno and plan to make a few other stops in the country, unlike in the past.
Apart from Brno, the group visited the former Nazi extermination camp in Oswiecim, Poland, in the past few days. On Wednesday they headed for Slovakia again.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims his adherence to the Night Wolves. The group’s leader Alexandr Zaldostanov is listed among persons unwanted in the USA and the EU for his active support for the Russian annexation of Crimea.
