Czech Leaders Condemn Medvedev's Threats Against Hasek

Czech government leaders have strongly condemned threatening remarks made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev against Dominik Hasek, a Hall of Fame NHL goaltender and vocal critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Medvedev's comments, which included personal insults and implied threats disseminated via Russian state media, were deemed 'absolutely unacceptable' by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who emphasized the seriousness of such threats coming from a high-ranking Russian official. Czech officials, including the Foreign and Interior Ministers, rallied in support of Hasek, highlighting his right to criticize Russia’s actions and denouncing the use of intimidation tactics to silence dissent. Hasek, celebrated for leading the Czech Republic to Olympic gold in 1998, has consistently spoken out against the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions, arguing it promotes Russia's war agenda. The Czech government assured Hasek of protection if needed and framed the threats as indicative of the aggressive nature of Russian politics. These developments underscore the broader tensions between Russia and its critics over the war in Ukraine and the politicization of international sports.