Protesters in the Czech Republic have called on the country's Senate to bring treason charges against pro-Russian President Milos Zeman, following allegations that Russian spies participated in a 2014 ammunition explosion that left two people dead, the Associated Press reported.
On April 17, Czech leaders determined that evidence pointed to the participation of two Russian spies in connection with the deadly explosion. Over a week later, Zeman, who is known for his pro-Russian views, instead suggested that the explosion could have been caused by human error.
That statement prompted thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets in Prague on Thursday, calling Zeman "a servant" of Russia, and demanding he be tried for treason, AP reported.
For more reporting from Newsweek's Anders Anglesey, see below.
Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov have been named by Czech investigators who are looking into the explosion at the ammunition depot that killed two workers in 2014.
The blast was so strong that it blew out windows in nearby buildings and the remains of two men—ages 56 and 69—were found more than a month later.
Petrov and Boshirov, whose real names are Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga respectively, are also suspected of poisoning Soviet double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the nerve agent novichok in Salisbury, southern England, in March 2018. The Skripals survived the attack.
The Czech Republic has expelled 18 Russian diplomats amid allegations that the Kremlin's intelligence services were behind the blast.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
On Thursday, the protesters, who wore face masks and followed social distancing rules, spread out through central Wenceslas Square in Prague. Other rallies were held in dozens of towns and cities across the country.
They said Zeman's recent comments sided with Russia and cast doubt on the findings of the country's security and intelligence services about the 2014 blast, calling him "a servant of Kremlin" and a "security risk" for the country.
After a week of silence, Zeman said Sunday that the explosion could have caused by human error and urged authorities to investigate that option. The government ministers said that's not true.
Unlike other lawmakers and officials briefed on the investigation, Zeman claimed there was no conclusive evidence about the Russians' involvement. His words were widely repeated by Russian media and authorities.
The European Union's 26 other nations and NATO allies expressed full solidarity with the Czech Republic.
The findings resulted in a serious diplomatic crisis between the Czech Republic and Russia, with dozens of diplomats ordered to leave their respective embassies.
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