Fiala reiterates assertion Prague protest organised by pro-Russian elements

The Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, has reiterated his assertion that an anti-government demonstration in Prague on Saturday was convened by supporters of Russia.

He said on Twitter on Monday that those behind the 70,000-strong protest were members of a “Russian fifth column” in Czechia, but also insisted again that his statement concerned the organisers, not demonstrators.

Mr. Fiala said his cabinet did not underestimate the fears of citizens and that there were ways of dealing with energy price rises.

A number of politicians criticised a statement by the PM at the weekend linking the demonstration to Russia.