Prague, May 8 (CTK) – Czech President Milos Zeman appointed yesterday new generals, including police Jiri Komorous, who was previously criticised for having attended a school for officers of the former StB state police before the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
Chief of Staff Josef Becvar, Police President Tomas Tuhy and Firefighters Corps director Drahoslav Ryba were promoted to a higher general’s rank.
The act was traditionally held on the occasion of the anniversary of- the end of World war Two in Europe.
Zeman mentioned the cooperation of the police and military in fighting the Nazi occupants during the Prague Uprising in May 1945 and congratulated the firefighters.
“If certain warning prophecies are fulfilled, and none of us wishes this to happen, the military, the police and also the firefighters’ corps will be busy facing the dangerous migrant wave,” Zeman said.
Becvar said the promotion is not only an appreciation, but mainly a commitment. He assured Zeman that the ensuring of the defence and security of the Czech Republic will be a primary task for those promoted yesterday.
Zeman promoted Komorous, director of the corps for the protection of constitutional officials, from the rank of colonel to brigade general. Brigade generals Tuhy and Ryba were promoted to the rank of major general.
Zeman also promoted other leading representatives of the military and police.
The ceremony was attended by the chairmen of the two houses of parliament, Milan Stech and Jan Hamacek (both Social Democrats, CSSD), Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky (ANO), Interior Minister Milan Chovanec (CSSD) and Cardinal Dominik Duka.
