Czech security chief quits over mock attack on President

PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of security for Czech President Vaclav Klaus has resigned after his subordinates failed to prevent an "assassination" attempt on the president, Czech media report said, according to RIA Novosti.

The Ceske Noviny publication said a 26-year-old man, clad in camouflage fatigues, forced his way through a crowd of people greeting Klaus at a bridge-opening ceremony in Chrastava, and shot at the president with a replica airsoft gun.

Klaus was taken to hospital and received treatment for minor bruises. He later criticised his bodyguards for failing to handle the situation appropriately.

Head of security Jiri Sklenka said: "Although I was not present at the place (of the incident) and I personally did not command the measures in Chrastava, after seeing the incident, I feel personal responsibility for the conduct of my subordinates, irrespective of whether they could prevent the incident or could not."

Sklenka said he decided to step down after seeing the footage of the incident broadcast by a television station.

The attacker, identified as Czech citizen Pavel Ondrous, was arrested and charged with hooliganism. He faces up to two years in prison.

Ondrous said he carried out the attack to attract the government's attention to the concerns of ordinary people.