(WAN/IFEX) – On 17 November 1998, WAN urged the Czech government to ensure an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack last week against Michal Klima, the managing director of the “Economia” newspaper. “While the reasons for the attack remain unclear, we are concerned that it may have been related to Mr Klima’s position as […]
(WAN/IFEX) – On 17 November 1998, WAN urged the Czech government to ensure
an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack last week against
Michal Klima, the managing director of the “Economia” newspaper.
“While the reasons for the attack remain unclear, we are concerned that it
may have been related to Mr Klima’s position as chairman of the board of
Ceska Typografie, a printing plant at which corruption of previous
management has been revealed, or his publishing activities,” WAN said in a
letter to Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman.
Two masked men assaulted Klima on Monday afternoon, 9 November, and
attempted to put a rope around his neck. Klima believes his attackers were
either attempting to kill or, more likely, kidnap him. They were scared off
before they could lead Klima to a waiting car. Klima and his family have
since been placed under 24-hour-a-day police guard.
“We urgently call on you to ensure that a thorough and expeditious
investigation into the attack on Mr Klima is carried out and that those
responsible are brought to justice,” said the letter to the Prime Minister,
signed by WAN President Bengt Braun. “We also ask that you do everything in
your power to ensure that Mr Klima and his family are
protected from further attack and intimidation.”