Head of president´s bodyguard team resigns over attack on Klaus

Šéf policejního útvaru pro ochranu prezidenta Jiří Sklenka oznámil 29. září, že odstoupuje z funkce. Cítí osobní odpovědnost za své podřízené, kteří selhali při incidentu v Chrastavě. Šestadvacetiletý muž tam na prezidenta Václava Kaluse zblízka několikrát vystřelil z plastové pistole.

published: 29.09.2012, 19:59 | updated: 29.09.2012 20:34:22

Prague - Jiri Sklenka today resigned as head of the Czech police team in charge of protecting the president, citing his responsibility for his subordinates´ failure during Friday´s incident in north Bohemia where a man shot at President Vaclav Klaus from a plastic gun.

Sklenka told journalists that he had decided to step down already on Friday after seeing the incident videoed by a television station. He said he immediately informed Klaus about his resignation.

"Although I was not present at the place [of the incident] and I personally did not command the measures in Chrastava, after seeing the incident...I feel personal responsibility for the conduct of my subordinates, irrespective of whether they could prevent the incident or could not," Sklenka said.

He said he is convinced that any bodyguard team´s head would do the same in a similar situation.

The 26-year-old man who got close to Klaus and repeatedly shot at him from a plastic airsoft gun at a public meeting in Chrastava, north Bohemia, was today accused of breaching the peace.

Deputy police president Tomas Kuzel told journalists that the man was released this afternoon. His prosecution continues. He faces up to two years in prison, if convicted.

Separately, the incident´s circumstances have been investigated by a Police Presidium´s team led by Kuzel. The performance of the team protecting the president has been checked by the General Inspection of Security Forces (GIBS).

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz

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