Prague, June 22 (CTK) – The High Court in Prague upheld yesterday the almost seven-year prison sentences for two men who committed an arson attack on a Romany dormitory in As, west Bohemia, and were found guilty of a racially motivated attempted murder and endangering of the public’s safety.
The lower-level courts sentenced Tomas Kopecky and Michal Polacek each to six years and nine months in prison for their attack from February 2012, when they threw Molotov cocktails to the building where 18 people including eight children were staying.
Nobody’s health was harmed as the inhabitants put the fire out.
In his appeal, the state attorney demanded a 15-year sentence for the two perpetrators, but the Hight Court did not meet his request and upheld the previous verdict yesterday.
It stated that Kopecky and Polacek committed the crime as fans of the neo-Nazi and racist organisation Blood & Honour Division Bohemia and its militant branch Combat 18 Bohemia.
Before throwing in the Molotov cocktails, they poured petrol around the entrance to the dormitory in order to thwart the inhabitants’ escape.
Apart from Kopecky and Polacek, another seven people were tried for neo-Nazi activities.
The court stated that the founder and leader of the neo-Nazi groups was Jan Balik, who did not take part in the arson attack in As.
Balik was sentenced to three years and eight months for racist and neo-Nazi activities such as the recruitment of new fans, writing of articles, launching of websites and promoting racism and neo-Nazism. He also sold T-shirts, CDs, DVDs and other items promoting neo-Nazi groups and aims.
Other four men and one woman received suspended sentences for promoting radical groupings, assisting in the distribution of neo-Nazi CDs, T-shirts and other items and calling for violence against Romanies.
The remaining suspect was acquitted of charges of the manufacturing of items bearing racist and Nazi symbols and motifs.
