Romanian Romanies camp on community plot outside Prague

She said the municipality had no problems with the Romanies during the night and that the police monitor the situation.

The private plot has been unkept since the devastating floods in 2002. The Romanies said they will put it in order, Tethalova said, adding that the community cannot help them because it is private property.

"On Thursday evening there were 11 cars and about 30 people on the community plot. They said another 70 plus people are to arrive," Tethalova said.

She said she has invited sanitary officers to have a look at the place the Romanies are staying on.

"They have been cooking there and the like since yesterday, so it is necessary to have a look at it whether it has not been contaminated," Tethalova said.

The Romanies arrived in Prague a week ago in order to support a 17-year-old son of a Romany king who almost drowned when he was bathing in Stara Boleslav, Central Bohemia, ten days ago.

He is a potential successor to the king, therefore he is so important for the Romanies.

The boy's condition remains very serious even though he has been partially put off a breathing support apparatus, hospital spokeswoman Jana Jelinkova told CTK on Thursday.

The Romanies first stayed at a Prague camp. Their stay was paid from fund-raising on the first three days.

They then stayed at a pond in Prague-Dolni Pocernice, but they had to leave it because it is a nature heritage site.

Czech Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities Michael Kocab said the Romanies should pay for a stay in some accommodation facilities because they had Mercedes cars and golden rings.

Autor: ČTK
www.ctk.cz