Vaclav Havel, Former Czech President and Playwright, Dies at 75

Havel, a leading figure in the Velvet Revolution, was known for his dissident writings and his commitment to human rights

Havel's death has been met with an outpouring of grief from around the world

Vaclav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic and a leading figure in the Velvet Revolution, died on Sunday at the age of 75. Havel was a playwright, essayist, and dissident who became a symbol of the fight for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe.

Havel was born in Prague in 1936 to a wealthy family. He studied drama at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, and his early plays were critical of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. In 1968, he was one of the signatories of the Charter 77 manifesto, which called for the respect of human rights in Czechoslovakia.

Havel was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned by the communist authorities. In 1979, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for subversion. He was released in 1989, after the Velvet Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the communist regime.

Havel was elected president of Czechoslovakia in 1989. He served two terms, and during his presidency, he oversaw the country's transition to democracy. He was also a strong advocate for human rights and civil liberties.

Havel retired from politics in 2003. He continued to write and speak out on issues of democracy and human rights. He died on Sunday at his home in Prague after a long illness.

Havel's death has been met with an outpouring of grief from around the world. He was a respected figure who was admired for his courage, his commitment to freedom, and his dedication to human rights.