The Czech Republic will strengthen security measures due to sports events until the end of September

From today until September 30, security measures will be strengthened in the Czech Republic due to the World Hockey Championship and other sports events in Europe. Deputy Prime Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) told reporters after the government meeting on Tuesday. Based on the recommendations of the joint intelligence group, the Cabinet will not increase the level of threat from terrorism, but has revised the measures within the first level of threat.

The increased security measures are in response to the World Ice Hockey Championship, which takes place in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26, the European Football Championship in Germany and the Olympics in Paris. “The degree of threat from terrorism is not increasing, only the given measures are being adjusted within the first stage. It is a preventive measure, not a reaction to any information from the security community,” said the Austrian.

According to the Austrian, the measures include strengthening the tasks of police officers at selected sports, social and public events. This also applies to some embassies and other selected institutions. “As part of the security measures, it is about setting aside an adequate number of police patrols with ballistic protection and long weapons at selected sporting events, transport hubs and international airports,” he added.

The pyrotechnics service in Prague and Ostrava will be strengthened, and road controls focused on the transport of weapons and pyrotechnics will also be strengthened. According to the Austrian, the supervision of the ban on the entry of trucks into larger cities will also be more intensive. Security forces will pay increased attention to radicalization in the online environment and on social networks. Intensive communication and sharing of information is also planned between security forces and local self-government, the Ministry of the Interior added in a press release.