Jan Palach commemorations in Prague

Commemorations in Prague on Thursday are marking the 45th anniversary since student Jan Palach set fire to himself to protest the Soviet-led invasion of former Czechoslovakia and its aftermath. Palach set fire to himself in Prague’s Wenceslas Square on January 16, 1969, and died from his burns three days later. A commemoration of the young student has been scheduled at Charles University’s Philosophy Faculty, where Palach was a student. It is one of a series of events taking place. Palach said his protest was aimed at the acceptance by his fellow citizens of the clampdown on liberties which had prompted the Soviet-led invasion half a year earlier.