Girl Scout threatened after confronting neo-Nazi protesters in striking photo

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A Girl Scout has been placed under police protection after a photo showing her confronting a group of neo-Nazis during a rally in the Czech Republic went viral.

The Interior Ministry's centre against terrorism and hybrid threats said the move was prompted by threats against 16-year-old student Lucie Myslikova that appeared on Facebook.

The teenager was among about 300 protesters who confronted a rally of the far-right Workers Party of Social Justice on May Day, in the second-largest city of Brno.

At one point, she was captured in a photo facing up to one of about 150 supporters of the fringe party.

Lucie said she was worried by the threats of violence and appreciated the move taken by police.

The image became a viral hit and drew parallels with the photo of a young woman smiling at a member of the English Defence League at a rally in Birmingham.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Lucie said it is important for young people to comment on public issues.

"I think it makes sense to be seen and to be heard," she said.

"I think it's important. I think young people should comment on public issues, to express their views," the arts school student said. "They will live in the future and they should create it as they wish."

Lucie said she and other protesters were holding banners and chanted some slogans, which their opponents didn't like and the man on the photo was keen to explain that to them.

"We talked about the nation, about borders, about migration," she said. "I don't want to judge him. I don't fight against those people, I fight against their views."

She said she was not afraid, though riot police had to separate the groups and detained 11 people from both camps.

"I participated in a non-violent way," she added.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement posted the image on its Facebook page, saying the girl was joining others to express support for "diversity, peace and understanding."