 He was also elected as the first chairman of Confederation of political prisoners and after his term ended he remain an honorary chairman.On 28 October 2005 he was decorated by the president of the Czech Republic with the highest Czech order – the Order of the White Lion, 1st class.As being seriously ill (he passed already a serious operation only a week before the ceremony) this was his last public appearance, he died few weeks later on 21 December, on the 61st anniversary of the air-landing to his beloved country.