Members of the Czech NGO Dekomunizace have raised a giant banner at City
Hall in Liberec, north of Prague, casting Russian leader Vladimir Putin as
Adolf Hitler - complete with the Nazi dictator’s moustache and medals on
his overcoat featuring the swastika and the red star. The banner was hung
close to a memorial remembering nine in Liberec who were killed during the
Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Dekomunizace, dedicated to
casting light on crimes committed by the former regime, made clear it was
protesting Russia’s recent invasion of Crimea and intervention in
Ukraine’s domestic politics. The banner was raised with permission by
City Hall; the police, however, began to investigate after charges were
filed.