Minorities Minister Kocáb moves evicted squatters to Prague city centre

The Minister of Human Rights and Minorities, musician Michael Kocáb, raised eyebrows on Friday with the announcement that he had arranged the relocation of a community of squatters to the city centre. The community had been protesting their recent eviction from the abandoned mansion they inhabited on the outskirts of Prague. Under sharp criticism from some quarters, Mr Kocáb emphasised at Friday’s press conference that he had merely negotiated the move, which was ultimately agreed between the squatters and the owner of their new residence. The squatters are to have at their disposal three flats and a cellar space for the symbolic price of one crown, and will have to cover the costs of water, gas and energy themselves.