CIA • 1989

NID: CZECHOSLOVAKIA: CONVICTION OF HAVEL ISOLATES REGIME

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826732 r t CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Conviction of Havel Isolates Regime The conviction of Vaclav Havel on Tuesday shows the regime's determination to confront the recent upsurge in dissent, but the move will lead to more Western and Soviet criticism and will increase tensions between hardliners and pragmatists in the party. Police also arrested Charter 77 spokesman Tomas Hradilck on Wednesday for "incitement." and seven other dissidents were convicted yesterday. Two received sentences similar to that given Havel, and the other five got suspended sentences...