Czech Interior Ministry: Extremists have won over new patrons online

A Czech Interior Ministry report about extremism in the country last year will be reviewed by the Government this coming Wednesday. According to the report, Czech extremists shifted their activities more to the internet in 2012.

Thanks to that move, both left-wing and right-wing radicals have managed to win over new patrons, especially among young people. The right-wing scene also reportedly exploited social networking sites.

The ministerial material warns that right-wing extremists did their best last year to revive the production of neo-Nazi concerts. A total of 48 took place in 2012, 30 more than in 2011. "The organization of musical events domestically was revived, but did not succeed in fully returning to pre-2009 levels in terms of its extent or a high participation of famous bands from abroad,” the report says.

Right-wing extremists in particular are reportedly maintaining their foreign contacts with their fellow-travelers in Germany and Slovakia. "Collaboration with those abroad took the form of functioning as branches of international organizations, gathering in public, holding musical concerts, performances, or private events, and providing certain services," the report says.

However, compared to 2011, none of the extremist scenes has reportedly changed much. On the right wing of the political spectrum the Workers’ Social Justice Party (Dělnická strana sociální spravedlnosti – DSSS) continues to dominate, while anarchists dominate the left-wing scene. Both camps continue to grapple with a lack of money.

Police say the broader membership base of the right-wing radicals is comprised of about 5 000 people. The militant section is allegedly only about 150 people. Roughly one-third of those militants can be considered leading personalities and major activists. The situation is allegedly similar with respect to left-wing extremists.