Czech general dies

on 27/08/2012 18:02:24

A Czech general who fought with the Allies in France, Britain and the Soviet Union during the Second World War II and who later resisted the communist regimes in his own country has died.

General Tomas Sedlacek died at Prague's Motol hospital today, the Defence Ministry said. He was 94.
President Vaclav Klaus praised him as "a true soldier".

Gen Sedlacek, who graduated from a military academy, fled to France in 1940 when his nation was occupied by Nazi troops.

After France was defeated, he joined the British Army before moving to the Soviet Union in 1944 and helping liberate Czechoslovakia.

After the Communists took power there, he was arrested in 1951, convicted of anti-communist activities and jailed for life.

He was released in 1960 and exonerated by the Czech Velvet Revolution in 1989.