Daily: Czech who travelled to Ukraine to fight alongside pro-Russian separatists could face legal trouble at home

A Czech national who appeared in a broadcast on Russian television taking part in a pro-Russian demonstration in Ukraine, could face legal difficulties upon his return home, the Czech daily Mladá fronta Dnes reports. In the video, the man - dressed in battle fatigues - introduced himself as Ivo Stjeskal from Brno and claimed he had travelled to Ukraine to help fight alongside pro-Russian separatists defending Donbas. The Czech daily points out that the national, reportedly a former elementary school gym teacher, was not only required to respect Ukrainian but also Czech law. According to the Czech Justice Ministry, the Czech may have broken the law by illegally serving in a foreign army, a crime which carries a potential five-year sentence.

Author: Jan Velinger