On 24 October, the state prosecutor charged a Ukrainian refugee, whose name is being withheld, with the murder of a young Roma man in Brno. According to the prosecutor, on 10 June the Ukrainian attacked and stabbed three people near a tram stop, who ended up in hospital. One of them later died of stab wounds (he was stabbed eight times).
The June incident led to tensions between Ukrainians and Roma. This incident was followed by a series of other attacks, which led to fears of assault among the Roma. Many of them say they are afraid of being physically attacked by Ukrainian men who have come to the Czech Republic since the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine.
Despite the panic that is actively gripping Romani communities across the country, some activists from Romani communities are calling for active resistance to Ukrainian aggression and the inaction of the Czech police and government. To commemorate the memory of the deceased Roma man Nikolas, a memorial event will be held in Ostrava on 28 October 2023, organized by well-known Roma activist David Mezei.
On his Facebook page, he addressed the audience of 11,000 with a fiery speech:
"Man is always resisting something, always resisting something. Usually to the serious problems that life brings them. This transmission is for people who will come to Palackého Street in Ostrava on Saturday. I'm saying this publicly, even for the police. I urge people to come on Saturday at 2 p.m. and remember what happened. They should also tell us how they evaluate the reaction and the actions of the Czech authorities to the murder of Roma by Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. These assessments and comments by members of the Czech Roma community will be broadcast by the European media. This is a good opportunity for the European media to put pressure on the Czech authorities to punish the murderers fairly. The main thing is that it should not turn out as we have seen. After all, the Ukrainian killer of Nicholas is still at large. Which is unthinkable. There is no reason for a murderer who killed one person to be recognized as a victim or to defend himself against an attack. Because it's impossible for him to be the defender with a knife in his hand. Because it is not possible to kill one young person in defense and seriously injure another. Because it is nothing less than a deliberate attempt to kill. I don't think the man who did this should be free. It was wrong of the police to let this man go free. I can't even imagine that any of us Czech citizens would do something like that and remain at large. I have not heard of anything like that. Why should a Ukrainian have any exceptions or excuses just because he is from Ukraine. Why shouldn't the law apply to him? Law enforcement should be the same for everyone, Roma, Ukrainians, Czechs. And especially for Ukrainians. Because you are newcomers here. That can't please the people who are watching the situation develop with the punishment of the murderer. We all know that there have been many attacks on Roma in our republic. There have been assaults, rapes, murders, intimidation, insults on the basis of nationality, with the complete acquiescence of our authorities. I want this to be known outside the Czech Republic. I don't care if some high boss of the Olomouc region calls me and tells me not to call people. I will never agree to that. Why should I remain silent? Why should I accept this situation? You have to work according to the law and what is written in the constitution. I will not be intimidated by anyone. I will not be intimidated by the police, allegedly because I am encouraging people to protest. I am not encouraging anyone. Because what I say is true! Nothing but the truth. It is a reality that is happening and that has happened to us. And this truth must come out! “
Given that tensions between Ukrainians and Romani people are growing, we are certain that this was not the last protest action and that Ukrainian refugees will have to reconsider their attitude toward Romani people.
(David Mezei/USA)
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