Czech diplomacy summons Russian ambassador over Konev's statue

Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Ales Chmelar has summoned Russian Ambassador Alexander Zmeyevsky to protest against Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky's words about the Prague 6 mayor over Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev's statue in this district, the Foreign Ministry said today. The ministry stands up against Medinsky's mendacious and abusive statements about Prague 6 Mayor Ondrej Kolar (TOP 09) whom the Russian culture minister repeatedly criticised in the dispute about the veiling and planned relocation of Konev's monument. Last week, Medinsky even compared Kolar to "a Gauleiter", a local Nazi official.