The Washington Post reported yesterday that a 20-year-old man named Martin Smid died after being beaten by two riot police officers near Wenceslas Square on Friday. Police notified his parents that he had died in an accident, according to the newspaper, which quoted friends and witnesses it did not name.

"The information we have so far indicates that it was an unfounded rumor," government spokesperson Miroslav Pavel told the AP.

Informed unofficial sources said there may be three people named Martin Smid in Prague, so the identity of the alleged victim was difficult to determine. Authorities spoke only of two Martin Smids.

Czechoslovak state television yesterday evening showed the two, both identified as students of mathematics at Prague's Charles University.

The first one was said to be from the town of Beroun near Prague. The other was identified as a Prague resident, who said "I was shaken" when told of the report he was dead.

The first Martin Smid said he did not take part in the protest, while the other said he did. The broadcast said he would be allowed to continue his studies.