Protesters disrupt the cycling race, June 20, Bratislava. (source: SITA)
After the main event in downtown Bratislava, attended by thousands of people, dispersed around 17:00, a group of approximately 300 people moved to Bratislava Castle and interrupted a cycling race taking place there, committing vandalism and assault and attacking the viewers, one cameraman and interrupted the ride of Brazilian racer Bernardo Cruz.
Slovak world champion in this discipline Filip Polc, who is also an organiser of this Bratislava race, told the Denník N daily he felt sorry for the incident that would not occur even in Brazilian slums.
“The police took immediate action and began to drive the group of hooligans back, arresting a total of 25 individuals," said police spokeswoman Tatiana Kurucová, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Due to radicals’ attacks the organisers had to cancel the prestigious cycling race at Bratislava Castle.
Protesters who assault people without reason tarnish the reputation of Slovakia and in such cases the police must always intervene in a quick and resolute manner, Speaker of Parliamentary Peter Pellegrini said for TASR.
“It’s natural that each of us harbour own views and beliefs, and it’s important to have an option to express them peacefully,” he added. "However, I find it extremely saddening when this option and right is abused in favour of propagating violence and aggression.“
Pellegrini happened to be at parliament close the Bratislava Castle at the time of the incident. Due to the disturbances the race organisers had to cancel the race and close the premises of Bratislava Castle for one hour.
