Prague, Sept 21 (CTK) – The Czech Defence Ministry decorated more than 40 participants in the third resistance fighting the communist regime (1948-89) Monday.
The resistance fighters received badges and memorial decrees for their collaboration with Western agents or work in resistance groups.
Until mid-September, the Defence Ministry issued over 960 certificates proving the participation in the third resistance and paid out some 61 million in total to their holders or their family members.
Monday, the decorations were presented mostly to the descendants of resistance fighters. Only 12 could take them over personally. Some of the fighters were decorated in memoriam, while others could not participate in the ceremony for health reasons.
Interior Minister Martin Stropnicky (ANO) appreciated their courage on this occasion.
While others were merely living from day to day, these people stood up against the totalitarian regime, Stropnicky said.
The law on the third resistance symbolically took effect on November 17, 2011, the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. It defines various types of anti-communist struggle and resistance.
As of September 17, the Defence Ministry registers 4331 applications, almost 70 percent of which have been processed. The ministry has issued 964 certificates, rejected more than 1600 and postponed 413.
