Czechs reintroduce random checks on the border with Slovakia to prevent illegal migration

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic announced on Tuesday it will reintroduce random checks along its border with neighboring Slovakia to stem a flow of migrants.

The Interior Ministry said the measure will become effective on Wednesday and should be in place for at least 10 days.

Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said the checks “will help us effectively fight the groups of human smugglers.”

Rakusan said the step was closely coordinated with neighboring countries, including Poland, which decided to launch similar checks at its border with Slovakia. He said the controls should not seriously limit traffic across the border.

Police said they were planning to deploy 130 officers who will operate along the entire border, not just at official border crossings.

Slovak Prime Minister Ludovit Odor criticized the Czech move, saying it’s necessary to find a Europe-wide solution to the problem of migrants. He said the government will react to the Czech move possibly on Wednesday.

Germany announced last week it was immediately increasing police patrols along “smuggling routes” on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic in an effort to prevent more migrants from entering the country.

European Union countries have been facing an significant increase of migration this year from Africa, Syria and other places. Most migrants transit Czech territory on the way to western Europe.

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