Standort: fm4.ORF.at / Meldung: "How safe is Czech security?"

Kate Farmer

Cutting to the chase

1. 10. 2012 - 16:06

How safe is Czech security?

"Shooting" at Czech President, Georgia elections, Lange Woche der Flucht - Palestinian refugees, gun laws in Austria, World Habitat Day

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The shooting of Czech President Vaclav Klaus at point blank range by a young man with a replica pistol may not have caused any physical injuries, but heads are rolling in the ensuing scandal.

During a quiet presidential walkabout in a small town, a man in combat gear approached Klaus and shot an "airsoft" gun at his arm 7 times while the security guards looked on. Most surprisingly, even after the attack still no one seemed to have realized what had happened, and the man walked away into the crowd and in fact gave several media interviews before being apprehended by the police.

The attacker, 26 year old Pavel Vondrous, said he wanted to draw attention to the suffering of ordinary people caused by the government's austerity measures. He was arrested, charged with disorderly conduct, and released - but the head of the Czech Police Presidential Security unit, Jiří Sklenka, did not get off so lightly. He has already resigned and other members of the security staff are expected to follow.

Although clearly a great embarrassment to the Czech authorities, the wider implications could seriously undermine confidence in the Czech security services.

Rob Cameron reports from Prague on what may have been an uncharacteristic lapse in Czech security.

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Georgia elections

Charles Maynes reports on the election being regarded as the biggest test yet for pro-Western president Mikhail Saakashvili.

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Lange Woche der Flucht

The plights of Palestinian refugees in the 5 key regions in which they are living. UNWRA spokesman, Christopher Gunness, explains how the conditions and threats posed to the refugees vary enormously from one region to another.

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Gun Laws in Austria

Austria's liberal gun laws are being brought into line with EU directives as all new purchases have to be registered in a computerised database. Although this will make guns less accessible, the new law is coming under criticism for both pro- and anti-gun lobbies. David Kriegleder reports.

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World habitat day

On UN World Habitat Day, Amnesty International reports on the housing crisis facing Roma in Romania.

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