Austria extending border checks with Czechia until mid-April

Austria is extending border checks with Czechia until at least mid-April, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF reported on Saturday, citing government sources. Austria introduced checks on its border with the Czech Republic last October and, following several extensions, they were to remain in place until 16 February.  Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in this connection that border controls are one of many measures in the fight against international smuggling rings, which often finance terrorist activities and that in view of the international security situation, extending controls is part of the Austrian government’s decisive action against extremists.

Austria is also applying similar measures at its borders with Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. With Italy, Germany and Switzerland, Austrian police carry out random checks in the border areas.