Broadcaster Ivan Medek dies at 84

Ivan Medek, who was an aide and later chancellor to President Havel, has died at the age of 84. Mr Medek was a musicologist by profession but later worked as a journalist. After signing Charter 77 he was harassed by the communist authorities until he left in 1978 for Vienna, from where he broadcast for Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other radio stations. Mr Medek’s widow Helena issued a statement on Wednesday saying he had died of “illness and old age”. Mr Havel said he had had great respect for his late associate, describing him as a rare and dependable person.