The Vítkov arson trial came to an end on Wednesday with the conviction of
all four defendants, who received extra-ordinary sentences. The Regional
Court of Ostrava on Wednesday morning sent three of the culprits to 22
years in prison for racially motivated attempted murder. The remaining
perpetrator received 20 years because he did not assist in planning the
attack. The four neo-Nazis were found guilty of throwing Molotov cocktails
into a house they knew was inhabited by a Romany family on April 19, 2009,
likely to mark the anniversary of the birth of Adolf Hitler. Of the nine
people in the house, three were injured in the attack, including a
two-year-old child, Natálka, who suffered burns to 80% of her body. The
girl’s mother was present at the sentencing and said she had not
expected
such high punishments, and was glad the case was over. The perpetrators
must also pay more than 17 million crowns in compensation for damages, 9.5
million of which will go to the injured child. Lawyers for each of the
defendants said they would appeal.