Two Czech elite troops sacked over Nazi symbols on their helmets

Both soldiers, who were members of the Czech rapid reaction brigade, leave the military without the right of service retirement allowance and severance pay.

Hynek Matonoha wore the symbol of the 9th SS panzer division Hohenstaufen and Jan Cermak of the SS Dirlewanger brigade, which was one of the most infamous SS combat units of World War Two.

Their commander Petr Prochazka allegedly ordered that the controversial covers of the helmets, as well as any photographs showing them, be burnt.

A Czech daily released information on the case and photos of Cermak wearing the helmet on Monday.

Prochazka will be suspended until the case is investigated.

Bartak said earlier the military would take tough steps against any extremists in its ranks.

On Monday, he sacked soldier Lukas Sedlacek who confessed that he trained the White Justice neo-Nazi group that planned terrorist attacks against power plants and abductions of "Jews in high posts" and the police.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz