Report on the Security Situation in the Czech Republic in 1999
(in comparison with 1998)

Contents

Annex 1
Brief Information on the Internal Security Situation in Some Countries of Central and Western Europe in 1999

This information is compiled from the available source; we did not manage to get some actual data for 1999 and crime features while processing this report.

The Federal Republic of Germany

In Germany, all offences, regardless the amount of claims, are recorded in the criminal statistics. If we compare the development trend in the number of offences recorded, we can say that crime stagnates. In 1999, for example, the number of motor vehicle thefts decreased (by 10 - 15 %; there was twofold situation of such thefts. In 1994, in comparison with the current state, smuggling increased (by 10 %). One of the reasons to be considered in relation to the decline in the number of motor vehicle thefts is the sale of new cars with electronic immobilisers in their basic equipment.

Migration is considered to be one of the principal problems affecting internal security in Germany. The number of asylum seekers increased as many of them entered the country illegally.

In 1999, the co-operation of federal and provincial security bodies improved; the Schengen Information System is positively evaluated.

A very risky phenomenon that should be taken into account is crime committed by Russian speaking organised groups. This is why Germany signed in 1999 an agreement with the Russian Federation on a common approach combating organised crime.

Austria

Generally, crime has stagnated in Austria on a long-term basis. In connection with increasing illegal migration and better efficiency of police work, they declared the project Police 2000 aimed at educating contemporary police officers and creating efficient working conditions in the police work. In addition to cost increasing, the situation may also be improved by more a efficient utilisation of current resources (gradually, the fire and theft registration offices, public camera system etc. should be merged). The Bureau for Criminally Analyses was established in Vienna to improve the approach towards more complex cases. A range of legal provisions was amended into Austrian in August 1999.

The proportion of organised crime, mainly illegal migration, trade in narcotic and psychotropic substances, motor vehicle thefts, economic crime - white collar crime, smuggling and trade in people, organised prostitution, money laundering, as a part of the total crime is estimated to be 30 - 35 %. Profits gained from organised crime are, as well as in other countries, transferred to foreign bank accounts and invested into real estate or valuable articles.

Poland

According to the preliminary data, there was a moderate increase in crime ascertained in 1999. The highest increase was recorded with thefts, burglaries, robberies and extortion, the number of murders decreased. According to some sociological resources published in 1999, only 30 % of the total amount of crime was recorded. Very poor police equipment remains a problem. The situation should be improved by establishing the Main National Centre of Criminal Information, whose principal aim is to gather information from the prosecutor's office, secret police services, the financial authorities, etc. Such information should serve for investigation and detection of crimes.

Organised crime is also considered here to be an important phenomenon threatening the country security, particularly, smuggling and trade in narcotic and psychotropic substances, car thefts and smuggling and organised prostitution. The level of corruption remains a problem. The perception of corruption index indicates a connection (very likely not fatal) with the state administration to organised crime.

Newly recorded crimes of infringements of intellectual property rights may relate to stricter laws adopted in this field.

In the year monitored, there was a public discussion in Poland of the Act against the legalisation of crime income with the obligation to register all transactions exceeding EUR 10,000, which applies to banks within all financial investment institutions.

Slovakia

In 1999, the crime ascertained stagnated in Slovakia. The Bratislava and Košice regions are considered to be the most risky ones.

A lack of policemen and their insufficient equipment remain a problem. In 1999, the Slovak Government prepared an extensive revision of the Criminal Code which is aimed especially against illegal bankruptcy proceedings, tax frauds, failures to transfer statutory social and health insurance contributions, and extortion. The Amendment is to strengthen combat against new forms of economic crime; it introduces the institution of a police agent who will be involved in corruption detection and power abuse by public officials.

The following organised crime activities account for the most serious crimes: smuggling of narcotic and psychotropic substances, perception of corruption (in terms of perception corruption index disclosed in 1999 by the Transparency International organisation Slovakia has the worst position of all countries neighbouring the Czech Republic), tax evasions, child pornography and legalisation of crime profits. Extortion is linked to the “protection” (racketeering). Altogether in 1999, five significant organised groups from the former Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia and from Albania were detected in Slovakia. Organised groups of Chinese origin were detected as well.

Hungary

Quite a high decline in crimes was recorded in Hungary in 1999 (-15 %). A considerable downward trend was registered in Budapest - car thefts (-25 %), thefts from cars (-20 %) and robberies and burglaries (-15 %).

The number of murders (-12 %), car thefts (-25 %) and misappropriation of funds (-50 %) decreased markedly. The decline was recorded also in relation to corruption - bribery (-15 %), and influence profiteering - even by 80 %. On the other hand, illegal bankruptcies, counterfeiting money, and bank card misusage (+50 %) increased considerably. The number of crimes of spreading and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances increased by 38 %, trafficking of people and trade in people rose by 40 %.
In spite of insufficient financial sources, the budget resources were utilised more economically; the internal financial audit improved.

Hungary is deemed to one of the most frequent European crossroads of smugglers - there are three Balkan routes used for smuggling heroin and marijuana especially; however, cars stolen in Western Europe are transported and organised illegal migration is a problem. The influence of Russian speaking organised criminal structures is considered to be an important factor. The problem has proved to be an increasing trend for crimes in connection with drugs, trade in people, etc (see above). Hungary slightly improved its corruption perception index in 1999 in comparison with 1998. The establishment of specialised teams is considered to be an important measure adopted to the increase in crime, mainly in Budapest.

Comparison of murders committed in the Czech Republic with selected European countries
in 1998 per 100,000 inhabitants.
  Slovakia Poland Hungary Germany Austria Czech Republic
Murders ascertained 128 1, 110 440 2,897 159 313
Murder ascertained 100,000 inhabitant 2.37 2.87 4.32 3.53 1.95 3.04

Graph: The development of changes in total crime in the Czech Republic in comparison with selected European countries in 1994-1998

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