Czech Republic expels former KKK leader Duke
David Duke

Czech Republic expels former KKK leader Duke

Apr 25, 2009 at 20:21
PRAGUE, April 25 (Reuters) - Czech police released former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke early on Saturday and expelled him from the country, his lawyer said.

The American was detained on Friday on suspicion of denying the Holocaust, an offence punishable by up to three years in prison under Czech law.

Klara Slamova, the lawyer representing Duke who was on a visit at the invitation of an extremist group, said Duke had left the country after being ordered out by police.

"I can confirm that he has left the Czech Republic," she said.

A police spokesman had earlier told Czech news agency CTK that no charges would be brought against Duke, who is a former U.S. presidential contender and advocates racial separation.

Duke had been due to give lectures in Prague and Brno, 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.

Czech media reported "hundreds" of extremists demonstrated in a northern Czech town on Saturday, but without incident. Last November, supporters of the far-right Workers' Party clashed with police, leaving several officers injured.

In Hungary, police used teargas to disperse anti-government protesters in Budapest in March, and local media reported the head of a far-right party was among the protesters. (Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Richard Balmforth)