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Czech president Milos Zeman sparks outrage by swearing during live radio interview | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Czech leader is said to have damaged the country's "reputation abroad" as hundreds complained after he spouted a torrent of swear words during a live radio interview on Sunday. | A Czech leader is said to have damaged the country's "reputation abroad" as hundreds complained after he spouted a torrent of swear words during a live radio interview on Sunday. |
President Milos Zeman is said to have caused embarrassment for Czech Republic as he used the words "f****d up" and "s***" when discussing Russian protest group and punk band Pussy Riot, who were jailed for frequently opposing Vladimir Putin's policies. | President Milos Zeman is said to have caused embarrassment for Czech Republic as he used the words "f****d up" and "s***" when discussing Russian protest group and punk band Pussy Riot, who were jailed for frequently opposing Vladimir Putin's policies. |
He is also reported to have asked the interviewer “you know what p**** means in English?" and when trying to explain it he used a highly-offensive Czech version of the word. | He is also reported to have asked the interviewer “you know what p**** means in English?" and when trying to explain it he used a highly-offensive Czech version of the word. |
The Czech prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, condemned the incident by saying: “The president should not speak in such a way as it damages the reputation of the presidency, sets a bad example and does nothing for our reputation abroad." | The Czech prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, condemned the incident by saying: “The president should not speak in such a way as it damages the reputation of the presidency, sets a bad example and does nothing for our reputation abroad." |
The country's state media watchdog reportedly received hundreds of complaints from shocked listeners but Zaman has yet to apologise for the broadcast. | The country's state media watchdog reportedly received hundreds of complaints from shocked listeners but Zaman has yet to apologise for the broadcast. |
Czech journalist Daniela Lazarova asked political commentator Jiří Pehe whether the president's "increasingly provocative" behaviour was linked to criticism he has received for being in his role. | Czech journalist Daniela Lazarova asked political commentator Jiří Pehe whether the president's "increasingly provocative" behaviour was linked to criticism he has received for being in his role. |
He replied: "I think that any person – and that person needn’t be a president – can resort to vulgarisms and aggressive language when they know that they are in the wrong. | He replied: "I think that any person – and that person needn’t be a president – can resort to vulgarisms and aggressive language when they know that they are in the wrong. |
"And I think that Zeman knows that with regard to his trip to China at least he is on very thin ice, that he should have been more assertive." | "And I think that Zeman knows that with regard to his trip to China at least he is on very thin ice, that he should have been more assertive." |
However, Zeman's spokesman claimed the president was simply responding to his political opponents "who tolerate such language". | However, Zeman's spokesman claimed the president was simply responding to his political opponents "who tolerate such language". |
During a visit to Beijing, China, in October he said that Taiwan was part of the country, which goes against the popular stance of many European nations. | During a visit to Beijing, China, in October he said that Taiwan was part of the country, which goes against the popular stance of many European nations. |
He is also reported by Sydney Morning Herald to have said that Jewish people should all be killed by Muslims, before he retracted the statement and apologised after he received backlash. | He is also reported by Sydney Morning Herald to have said that Jewish people should all be killed by Muslims, before he retracted the statement and apologised after he received backlash. |
According to the Telegraph, Czech Radio could face a fine of up to £281,000 if it is found to have put at risk 'the moral development of children' by broadcasting the live interview. | According to the Telegraph, Czech Radio could face a fine of up to £281,000 if it is found to have put at risk 'the moral development of children' by broadcasting the live interview. |
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