Prague Transport Company Fires Driver Over Assault on Ukrainians

A Prague tram driver has been fired after verbally and physically confronting a Ukrainian family with a small child.

The Prague Transport Company (DPP) announced the decision on X, stating that the driver violated internal rules and legal regulations.

The incident, which was caught on video, sparked widespread condemnation from public officials, including Interior Minister Vít Rakušan, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, and Government Commissioner for Human Rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková.

Incident on Line 7 Tram

The altercation occurred on a Line 7 tram, where the driver was filmed shouting at an elderly Ukrainian couple and their young child before forcibly removing them from the vehicle.

In the footage, the driver can be heard yelling, “You have no right to be here in this country,” and is seen gesturing aggressively at the passengers.

Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda called the video “shocking”, emphasizing that such xenophobic behavior has no place in public transport or a civilized society.

Deputy Transport Minister Zdeněk Hřib echoed the sentiment, stating that, regardless of what led up to the incident, “such conduct is completely unacceptable, especially in front of a child.”

Driver’s Defense Fails to Convince Authorities

The tram driver later attempted to defend his actions on social media, claiming that the Ukrainian passengers had been disruptive and that the man had spat at him.

“I wish the video showed what happened earlier. The child was jumping on the seat with dirty shoes, and I politely asked them to stop. But the man repeatedly cursed at me and spat at me—that part isn’t in the footage,” he reportedly wrote in posts circulating online.

Prague Transport Company Takes Action

Following an internal investigation, DPP spokesperson Aneta Řehková confirmed that the driver’s actions were a direct violation of company policies, Czech law, and ethical standards.

She stated that “his handling of the situation was entirely inappropriate and unacceptable.” As a result, DPP terminated the driver’s employment and announced plans to file a complaint with the state prosecutor’s office, citing potential legal violations.

Meanwhile, Prague police have launched an investigation to assess the legal implications of the incident. Early findings suggest the case may be classified as an offense against civil coexistence, though further legal evaluation is ongoing.

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