Identity of Parliament protester who set himself on fire revealed

  • 26/09/2017

Police have revealed the identity of the man who lit himself on fire outside Parliament before tragically dying from his burns.

Sixty-year-old Zdenek Hanzlik was quickly taken to hospital after his demonstration in the forecourt of the Beehive, but passed away in the early hours of Friday morning as a result of his burns.

Police have since extended their sympathies to his family, who have asked for privacy while they grieve his death.

Parliament's forecourt and front lawn went in to lockdown as the incident unfolded just before 4pm last Thursday, when Mr Hanzlik ignited his own clothing.

The scene at the time of the incident.
The scene at the time of the incident. Photo credit: Supplied

After the incident, a sign reading "ISSUE IS NOT TO TAKE CHILDREN'S MOTHER AWAY. ENOUGH MURDERING FATHER CULT & LAWYERS" was found on the grass next to him.

Mr Hanzlik's sign.
Mr Hanzlik's sign. Photo credit: Supplied

Senior Sergeant Glen Turner at the time labelled the incident "highly unusual and extremely unfortunate".

Mr Hanzlik's death has now been referred to the Coroner.

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