Former presidential candidate adds voice to Mašin debate

Unsuccessful Czech presidential hopeful Jan Švejnar has added his voice to the debate over the recent award given by the Czech Prime Minister to the Mašin brothers. In an interview with the website novinky.cz, Švejnar stated that this was an issue that divided Czechs more than any other and added that although he valued the Mašin brothers, he would not personally have rewarded them with a Prime Ministerial medal. Josef and Ctirad Mašin achieved notoriety for escaping communist Czechoslovakia during the 1950s – they are criticized by some for the excessive violence used in their escape, which allegedly includes terrorism and murder.