The Czech Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed “surprise” at the
Russian authorities’ reaction to an event in Moscow commemorating the
1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. On Sunday, the Russian police detained
eight people in Moscow’s Red Square who commemorated the invasion and
honoured eight dissidents who protested against it on August 25, 1968,
spending years in jail as a result. In a statement, the Czech Foreign
Ministry said it was surprised the peaceful gathering was suppressed, and
expressed hope the Russian authorities are aware of the event’s
symbolism. However, the Russian authorities do not allow any rallies and
gatherings to take place in the city’s Red Square.