Ruffini Student Stopped in Prague: Fascist Greeting in Jewish Ghetto Sparks Outrage
April 2, 2025 – Prague, Czech Republic – A student from Ruffini High School in Turin, Italy, identified only as “Marco R.” for privacy reasons, was detained briefly by Prague police yesterday after allegedly performing a fascist salute in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter, Josefov. The incident, which occurred near the Old Jewish Cemetery during a school trip, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from local authorities, Jewish community leaders, and onlookers, raising questions about the persistence of extremist gestures in a place scarred by the Holocaust.
The episode unfolded around 2:30 PM on April 1, when Marco, an 18-year-old on an educational visit with his classmates, reportedly raised his right arm in a gesture widely recognized as a Nazi salute while posing for a photo. The act took place mere steps from the Pinkas Synagogue, a memorial inscribed with the names of 77,297 Czech Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Witnesses;
eyewitnesses described a mix of shock and anger among tourists and locals. “It was disgusting,” said Hana Nováková, a Prague resident who witnessed the scene. “This is a sacred place, not a playground for provocation.” A nearby tour guide promptly alerted authorities, and within minutes, police intervened, detaining the student for questioning.
Prague Police spokesperson Lt. Jakub Svoboda confirmed the incident, stating, “The individual was stopped and questioned regarding a potential violation of Czech laws against the promotion of movements suppressing human rights and freedoms.” Under Czech law, public displays of Nazi symbols or gestures can result in fines or up to three years in prison. After several hours of interrogation, Marco was released with a warning but ordered to leave the country within 24 hours, effectively cutting short his school group’s itinerary.
The Ruffini High School administration expressed dismay in a statement: “We are deeply saddened and apologize unreservedly for the actions of one of our students. This behavior does not reflect our values or educational mission.” The school has pledged to conduct an internal investigation and impose disciplinary measures upon Marco’s return to Italy.
The Jewish Quarter, or Josefov, is one of Prague’s most visited areas, home to Europe’s oldest active synagogue, the Old-New Synagogue, and a cemetery dating back to the 15th century. It also bears the weight of history as a site of Nazi persecution, where thousands of Jews were deported to concentration camps like Theresienstadt and Auschwitz during World War II. Rabbi David Lau, a leader in Prague’s Jewish community, condemned the gesture as “an insult to the memory of the victims and a reminder of the hatred we must never forget.”
Historians note that the Czech Republic, once part of Czechoslovakia, lost over 80% of its Jewish population—approximately 263,000 people—to the Holocaust. “To see such a symbol here, of all places, is not just ignorance—it’s a deliberate affront,” said Dr. Eva Kopecká, a Holocaust studies professor at Charles University.
The incident has reignited debates about education and the resurgence of far-right sentiments among youth. Social media posts from Prague locals and visitors expressed outrage, with one X user writing, “How do you visit a place like Josefov and think this is okay? What are they teaching these kids?” Others called for stricter oversight of student groups touring sensitive historical sites.
Italian authorities have yet to comment officially, though the Italian Embassy in Prague is reportedly coordinating with Czech officials. Meanwhile, the event has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an enriching cultural exchange, leaving educators and community leaders grappling with how to address such acts in an increasingly polarized world.
As of this morning, Marco and his school group were seen departing Václav Havel Airport Prague, their trip abruptly ended. The story continues to unfold, with many watching to see how both nations respond to this stark reminder of history’s enduring echoes.