Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation
Reg. Nr. FL-0001,030.207-0
Vaduz - Liechtenstein
Press Release
Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation defends itself in lawsuit by the Office for
the Representation of the Czech State in Property Matters
Prague, 12. November 2015 - The Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, a private foundation that
holds parts of the assets of the Liechtenstein Princely Family, confirms its response to an
action for the cancellation of ownership to land properties near Prague filed by the Office for
the Representation of the Czech State in Property Matters. The action was filed at the PragueEast District Court in November 2014. The hearing took place on November 11, 2015. The
Foundation will appeal against the District Court´s decision in favour of the State.
The Office for the Representation of the State in Property Matters argues that the registration of 600
hectares under the name of the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation, legal heir to Franz Josef II, the
late Prince of Liechtenstein, should be cancelled on the basis of its owner’s, Franz Josef II Prince of
Liechtenstein, alleged declaration to German nationality. A personal declaration at the Czechoslovak
national census in 1930 serves as necessary pre-condition for the lawful confiscation under the
decrees of the President (Decree No 12/1945 Coll) in 1945.
In its response, the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation provides conclusive evidence that the late
Prince Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein has never declared himself as of German Nationality neither in
nor before or after 1930.
In June 1945, the Czech Ministry of Interior stated that the Prince registered under German nationality
according to the census document. Yet, the document itself was withheld from Czech judicial
authorities and the Princes’ legal representatives because it was invalid for the purpose of confiscation
as neither the Prince nor any other member of the Liechtenstein family had ever signed it. On these
and other severe grounds, in 1947 the responsible Judge at the Supreme Administrative Court in
Bratislava drafted a judgement to the effect that the confiscation was unlawful. Proceedings were
suspended under the Communist pressure and in 1951 courts were forced to hand down a different,
politically motivated ruling. The Foundation does not share the view of the District Court expressed on
November 11. 2015 and is convinced that according to today’s applicable Czech Constitutional Court
case law this ruling cannot be upheld.
Today, as defendant, the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation reacts within the frame of Czech law to a
legal action it has not sought and that was brought against it. The Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation
maintains that the property in question is lawfully registered. It is confident to prevail given the
objective strength of its legal position and the fact that today’s Czech legal system can give this matter
an objective hearing for the first time since 1948.
In 1938 the former CSR and the neutral Principality of Liechtenstein – both states under threat of Naziinvasion – have laid the foundations for good political cooperation by mutual diplomatic recognition.
Friendly relations between both countries were underpinned by President Edvard Benes in his
congratulation note to Prince Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein on his assumption of office as Head of
State that year. The Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation wishes to stress that Prince Hans-Adam II of
Liechtenstein has never intended to sue the Czech Republic for property confiscated from his father in
the 20th century and continues to advocate for the resolution of this matter through dialogue. He has
made this view clear in several public statements over the past years. As Head of State, he has
Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation
Reg. Nr. FL-0001,030.207-0
Vaduz - Liechtenstein
supported the joint declaration of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic, the
restoration of diplomatic ties in 2009 and the development of fruitful relations between both countries.
Liechtenstein Family Foundations
The foundations of the Princely Family manage one of the most important art collections in the world, real estate
including historic palaces and castles partly accessible to the public, agricultural property and forestry in Austria
and Liechtenstein, a financial service provider as well as several industrial participations worldwide. In their
activities, the foundations are governed by principles of long-term sustainable development and ethical standards.
The foundations employ around 2.600 people worldwide.
The Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation is one of the private foundations of the Princely Family. It was founded in
1970 to manage part of the businesses and properties in the ownership of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein,
and it is heir of Franz Josef II, the late Prince of Liechtenstein (1906-1989).
Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation - contact for media:
Stance Communications
Michal Růžička
Tel.: +420 224 810 809, +420 605 232 393
e-mail: michal.ruzicka@stance.cz
www.stance.cz
CNC AG
Max Hohenberg
Tel.: +49 172 899 6264
e-mail: max.hohenberg@cnc-communications.com