Lipavský criticizes Stropnický for the meeting with the disinformation. The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives is requesting the recall of the ambassador to Israel
Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Bartošek (KDU-ČSL) demands the dismissal of the ambassador to Israel, Martin Stropnický. Photographs have become public that testify that Stropnický met with a key representative of the Czech disinformation scene, Žark Jovanovič. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský described the meeting as Stropnický’s serious misconduct.
“I personally see it as a fatal failure and I will contact the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, to have the ambassador recalled,” N Bartošek, who is also the chairman of the inter-parliamentary group for Israel, told Deník.
“The ambassador is fully monitored as to who he accepts, and I always have to find out in advance what kind of person it is. If the ambassador accepts one of the main disinformers, then at least YES as in the case of a member of the movement, when we know that the disinformation scene is strongly against the candidate Petr Pavlov, this raises a number of questions,” added Bartošek.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates) was also critical of Stropnické shortly before. “Accepting such a visit, I consider it a serious misconduct of Mr. Ambassador. His task is to conscientiously represent Czech diplomacy, which is definitely at odds with the fact that he meets and takes photographs with leading representatives of the pro-Russian disinformation scene,” he said minister for Diary N.
In addition to Jovanovič, businessmen from the Ústí region and SPD MP Jan Hrnčíř also took part in the visit to the region. Stropnický defends himself by saying that he did not check the past and activities of his visit and who he was taking photos with in advance. “I cannot have an overview of who is active in the disinformation sphere in our country,” said Stropnický when asked by Deník N.
At the same time, Jovanovič has been known among disinformation for a long time, and he is also known for his pro-Russian positions. After all, the Russian embassy in Prague participated in the past. “I don’t know who that person is. And I’m not surprised that you’re interested in him. They all wanted to take pictures and I don’t know that person. Everyone wants to take pictures, I’m used to that,” said Stropnický when asked why he accepted Jovanovič. According to his words, it is, among other things, about business.