Czechs must return forest to Walderode family

The Czech Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the authorities of the village of Žďárek in northern Bohemia must return local forest to the heiress of the Walderode family. The formerly aristocratic family are leading an extensive legal battle to reclaim property nationalised under the post-war Beneš Decrees. Their property has been estimated as being worth 120 million crowns, and includes the state castle Hrubý Rohozec in the Turnov region. The court argued that the family did not act against Czechoslovakia’s interests. Monday’s ruling may be decisive in other restitution cases involving the Walderode family.

Author: Ruth Fraňková