Defence minister visits troops guarding Czech-Slovak border

Defence Minister Jana Černochová and the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army Karel Řehka on Saturday paid an inspection visit to a number of border checkpoints where soldiers are now helping police guard the state border with Slovakia. Police officers and soldiers have engaged in increased border surveillance since the end of September due to the growing number of illegal migrants who are using Czechia as a transit country on their way to Germany. Since the end of September, soldiers and police have detained and registered thousands of illegal migrants as well as a large number of smugglers. The border controls are expected to last until 12 December when the situation will be reviewed.