Viktor Fainberg who stood up for Czechoslovakia in 1968 has died at 91

Soviet-era Russian dissident Viktor Fainberg, one of the eight people who in 1968 risked their life to voice his opposition to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, has died at the age of 91.

On August 25th, just four days after the invasion, Fainberg, along with seven other dissidents, gathered on Moscow’s Red Square with banners that read “Hands off Czechoslovakia!” and “Shame to the Invaders!”

He was arrested and locked up in a psychiatric hospital for five years. In 1974, he emigrated to Israel and later resided in France.

The Czech Foreign Ministry expressed “deep sadness” in response to the news of his death, stressing that his legacy was still relevant even in today’s turbulent times.