Czech president, politicians condemn Vienna terrorist attack

President Milos Zeman and other Czech politicians condemned the terrorist attack in which a man, suspected to be an Islamic radical, killed four people and injured 17 others in the centre of Vienna on Monday night. Zeman sent a letter of condolence to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, in which he expressed deep sorrow and indignation over the attack that occurred near a synagogue. He said he was concerned by the trend of increasing violence, hatred and anti-Semitism in Europe. He offered his condolences to the families of the victims and the Austrian people. Senate head Milos Vystrcil (opposition Civic Democrats, ODS) said on Twitter that it was necessary to resolutely face terrorism. "Yes, Covid-19 is dangerous, but the events in Nice and Vienna are an attack on the very fundament of European civilisation," he tweeted. Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar also said terrorism needed to be tackled and the perpetrators strictly punished. ODS leader Petr Fiala said terrorism was unacceptable and expressed support for all the victims and their families.