Head of MOD honours Communist regime victims at Vrakuňa cemetery

To mark the 32nd anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution today, an act of remembrance took place at the Memorial to the Executed and Tortured Political Prisoners of Communism at Vrakuňa cemetery in Bratislava. Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď paused to honour the victims of the Communist regime and laid a wreath in their memory at the Memorial.

Speaking on the occasion of the anniversary, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “This place and memory of all of the Communist regime's victims is a painful reminder of the 17 November events. Today we honour those who had the courage to put all their fears and concerns aside and express their own opinions.”

Mr Naď appealed to society never to stop valuing and respecting freedom, democracy and peace, because they must never be taken for granted.

He continued: “One day the future generations will ask us what we have done to build a democratic society and the rule of law. Therefore, the actions of each of us should contribute to building a future without fear. Let's make it clear there is no place for extremism and radicalism in today's democratic society.”