Oldest Czech scout Eduard Marek dies aged 104

Eduard Marek, a long-time member of the Czech Scout movement, who was imprisoned both by the Nazis and the communists, died on Sunday at the age of 104.

Marek was born in March 1917 in Prague and in 1936, he voluntarily enlisted for military service. During the war, he was sentenced for several months in prison for supporting his Jewish friend.

Upon his release he became involved in the underground Scout movement and also served as a military messenger during the Prague Uprising in May 1945.

Following the communist takeover in 1948, Marek and his friends established a resistance group. A year later, he was convicted and sent to the uranium mines, serving seven years before being released on parole.

Mr Marek, known by the scouting nickname Hroznýš, was involved in the revival of the Czech Scout movement both in 1968 and 1989. He was also active in the Confederation of Political Prisoners.