Czech Republic: 18 felony charges result from police operation against neo-Nazis

Czech Television has reported that detectives with the Organized Crime Detection Unit (Útvar pro odhalování organizovaného zločinu – ÚOOZ) have announced the completion of “Operation Power”, their most recent strike aimed particularly against ultra-right extremists in the Czech Republic. The operation was performed during the previous government of Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer and has resulted in charges being filed against 18 people for advocating neo-Nazism.

The operation was the country’s most extensive raid against ultra-right extremists ever. It lasted two years and, according to political scientists, has significantly weakened the ultra-right community and other causes of neo-Nazism for the time being.

“We handed over many files to the state attorney and recommended a total of 18 people be charged,” ÚOOZ spokesperson Pavel Hanták said. Political scientists see the results of the operation as having been a significant weakening of those promoting already-banned neo-Nazi groups such as the National Resistance (Národní odpor – NO) in particular.

“The ultra-right scene has understandably responded by retreating into secrecy,” said lawyer Klára Kalibová, who has long followed manifestations of hate violence. Political scientist Miroslav Mareš said the operation has primarily weakened the leadership structure of the ultra-right movement.

The main evidence of these crimes to be presented in court will be objects with racist motifs that were confiscated by police when searching suspects’ homes. Those charged face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. “We are recommending they be charged with supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms,” Hanták said. Klára Slámová, an attorney for several of the accused, has refused to comment on their cases.

According to some experts, however, ultra-right extremists have begun waking up once more. “Once the ultra-right realized the current government is not interested in the fight against extremism, they started to gradually revive their activities – this has started happening during the past six months,” František Kostlán told news server Romea.cz. Kostlán has long monitored right-wing extremism and reported on cases of racism.

Experts also say the fact that the investigation of these cases has taken so long is playing into the hands of the ultra-right extremists. In recent months increased ultra-right extremist activity has taken place primarily in North Bohemia.

Police began “Operation Power” in the spring of 2009 when they noted an increase in the distribution of audio and video recordings and other commodities with racist motifs both at concerts and through the internet. In June and September of that year, police officers immediately raided several locations in the Czech Republic and detained the alleged bosses of the neo-Nazi music scene.