Extremism report says Russia has a solid influence base in the Czech Republic
The Czech Interior Ministry has published its report on extremism and prejudicial hatred for the first half of 2024. According to the report, the Czech extremist and populist-xenophobic scene has significantly transformed itself and Russian security units have developed a solid, easily manipulable base for disseminating their influence here.
The report says Russia undertook a wide range of hybrid operations against the Czech Republic in the first half of this year and that the aim of its propaganda is to weaken trust in the state and evoke the feeling that the regime in Russia is a healthy alternative to liberal democracy. “The Czech extremist and populist-xenophobic scene has significantly transformed itself and Russian security units in our country have acquired a solid, easily-manipulable base to spread their influence. The period under review was once again favorable to the so-called anti-system movement. However, that came up short given its fragmentation, absence of vision, and the short-lived viability of its main representatives who had made a fast ‘first impression’ on the public,” the report says.
According to the ministry, the anti-system scene again copied the Kremlin perspective on Russia’s war against Ukraine during 2024. “Russia continually undertook hybrid operations against the Czech Republic and many institutions became the target of repeated cyberattacks. If I add to that the fact that police arrested a Colombian man suspected of committing arson on the orders of the Russian security units, it is clear that Russia is attacking us by any means possible,” Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said.
Some former right-wing extremists in the Czech Republic have also become backers of the Kremlin. “Hateful rhetoric against certain groups has just become one component of the mosaic of pro-Russian propaganda. Their priority aim is no longer to stir up negative emotions against immigrants, Muslims, Jews, Roma or the LGBT+ community, but to ensure a further shift in values and support a positive image of Russia,” the report says.
The authors of the report also warn that from January to June 2024 it was also possible to follow a series of hateful displays against Ukrainians, and police specialists in extremism warn of a rise in antisemitic incidents, especially online. The Israel-Gaza war continued to resonate in the public space as well.
“There were no direct displays of support for Hamas, no approval of and no defense of the terrorist attack of 7 October 2023 by pro-Palestinian activists,” the ministry reports. During the first half of 2024, police recorded 100 crimes motivated by hatred and charged a total of 72 persons, most frequently involving violence and threats against groups and individuals.
