Prague, Oct 5 (CTK) – Prague Castle Guard commander Radim Studeny left his post Monday in reaction to the recent incident of a radical art group replacing the presidential flag on the roof of the presidential palace with red trunks, President Milos Zeman’s spokesman Jiri Ovcacek writes on Twitter.
Studeny was dismissed by the Presidential Office military office chief Rostislav Pilc. Zeman said earlier Studeny would have to leave.
Shortly after the incident, Zeman’s chief bodyguard Petr Dongres was sacked.
On September 19, members of the Ztohoven art group, disguised as chimney sweepers, climbed a scaffolding and hung giant red trunks instead of the presidential flag on the presidential palace’s roof.
The police shortly arrested the artists when they climbed down. The incident is being investigated and it is not known yet whether and possibly how the “chimney sweepers” would be punished.
Ztohoven released a video recording of their performance on Facebook, saying the underpants are the proper flag of the man who is ashamed of nothing. In a poem mocking Zeman, Ztohoven criticise him for siding with China and Russia.
Most people felt amused by the incident, a poll showed.
The Ztohoven group has a history of hoaxes that reflected on Czech social and political issues.
The poor guarding of the presidential seat was strongly criticised.
The Prague Castle Guard is responsible for the outdoor areas in the complex, while the entries to the castle buildings are watched by the police squad for the protection of the president.
