Czechia brings back checks at Slovak border over high illegal migration

Czechia is temporarily reinstating controls on the country’s border with Slovakia in response to an increase in illegal migration. The checks will start at 27 former border crossings on Thursday.

The Czech minister of the interior, Vít Rakušan, said that illegal migration, mainly from Syria, had risen by 1,200 percent this year, adding that the situation was unprecedented.

Mr. Rakušan said the controls would initially be in place for 10 days.

Slovakia said it respected Czechia’s decision but would seek discussions at EU level.