Czech Republic looks into ways to improve security following Paris attacks

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has said that France and the Czech Republic should boost cooperation to counter the threat of terrorism. He made the statement after signing a book of condolences on Monday at the French Embassy in Prague, for the victims of terrorist attacks in Paris. The Czech government will also look at ways of boosting domestic security, without threatening the individual freedoms of citizens.

Photo: CTK

Last week’s attacks in Paris by local Islamic extremists offered a grim reminder that not all terrorist cells can be rooted out and not all deadly plans foiled. The shock of the attacks, which left 17 people dead, has rekindled arguments for tighter security and vigilance. The Czech government too is looking into ways to better cooperate internationally and to increase security at home, in particular through the Czech counter-intelligence service, the BIS.

Both the prime minister and the interior minister are in favour of boosting funds, possibly up to a billion crowns, provided the service successfully outlines how the financial injection would be of use and how it would be best spent. BIS spokesman Jan Šubert was straight forward in his answer on Monday:

“The new funds would be used to broaden and strengthen operational teams as well as to buy top-shelf security equipment.”

Already, the Interior Ministry has made sure surveillance by the police has been broadened beyond Paris-Prague flights, as a start. Interior Minister Milan Chovanec said this:

“We are paying more attention to more incoming and outgoing flights and we are paying very close attention to passenger lists.”

Bohuslav Sobotka signs a book of condolences at the French Embassy in Prague, photo: CTK

At the same time, no one wants to see security increased to the point of limiting individual liberties. Opposition leader Petr Fiala of the Civic Democrats warned that if the security forces were strengthened, those watching the watchers would also have to be boosted accordingly, so that ordinary law-abiding citizens wouldn’t end up being harassed. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka himself made clear that the fight against terrorism, not just in the Czech Republic, had limits.

“In the fight against terrorism we can’t do the opposite or a 180 degree turn and end up complicating each other’s lives and limiting our own freedoms.”

The government will look into the matter more in the coming days and weeks before agreeing on a new budget increase and other possible steps.