Czech generals resign positions

Two top members of the Czech army have resigned their positions with effect from the end of the year. Czech media have linked the moves to a series of recent scandals concerning Czech units serving abroad. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said the requests to leave were made by the two deputy chiefs of general staff and would not comment further.

General Jiří Halaška was responsible for managing units serving on foreign missions. He was suspended from duty in November following a scandal when two Czech soldiers serving in Afghanistan were revealed to be wearing SS symbols on their uniforms. General Josef Prokš said he wanted to leave the army after 15 years service and no further motives should be sought.

As well as problems in Afghanistan, the Czech peacekeeping force in Kosovo has been tarnished by reports of soldiers smoking dope and regularly getting drunk. One soldier also accidentally shot a colleague.

Author: Chris Johnstone