Row over poison plot

Czech leaders under police protection as Russia refutes claims

THE Russian Embassy in Prague has formally protested to the Czech Foreign Ministry over claims Russian spies plotted to poison two mayors whose recent actions have angered Moscow.

Respekt weekly reported Czech intelligence services suspected a Russian agent was sent to Prague three weeks ago to poison Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib and Prague 6 district’s Mayor Ondrej Kolar with ricin, a potent toxin. Czech authorities did not comment on the report.

“The allegations in the story are absolutely baseless” and designed to “discredit” Russia, an embassy statement said.

Mr Hrib and Mr Kolar have been strongly criticised recently by Russian officials.

Both have been placed under police protection. Authorities didn’t give any reason for that measure.

In February, a Prague square in front of the Russian Embassy was renamed after slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, with Mr Hrib unveiling the new nameplate.

In April, the statue of Soviet World War II commander Ivan Stepanovic Konev whose armies liberated Prague from Nazi occupation was removed in Prague 6 district.

Officials say the statue will be moved to a museum and a new monument honouring the city’s liberation will be installed in its place.

Regarded as a hero in Russia, many Czechs see Konev as a symbol of Soviet-era oppression. Russian diplomats called the move an act of “vandalism by unhinged municipal representatives”.

Mr Hrib confirmed yesterday he was under police protection but declined to give further details.

“Protection was simply granted to me by the Czech police,” Mr Hrib told independent Russian radio station Echo of Moscow yesterday. “It was their decision, I am unable to comment on the reasons.”

The comments came on the heels of a report that a Russian national using a diplomatic passport had recently arrived in Prague carrying ricin, a toxic poison that can be used as a biological weapon.