Extremism

Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic
Security Policy Section

Report on the Issue of Extremism in the Czech Republic in 1999

»contents

3. Trends for and Nature of the Extremist Scene in 1999

3.1 The Extremist Scene in the Czech Republic in 1999 (in comparison with 1998) 8

 

3.1.1 General Characteristics

In 1999, as in the previous year, the basic extremist movements were apparent in the Czech Republic:

1999 development underlined the apparent trends on the extremist scene in 1998 and 1997. The Czech extremist scene reached a qualitatively higher development stage in terms of organisation and activity concept, and it was more intensively involved in international structures; its manifestations were more striking. All phenomena recorded in the whole extremist spectrum in 1998 were valid also in 1999.11

3.1.2 Right-wing Extremist Scene

Activation of the right-wing extremist spectrum was apparent in 1999. It represented itself outwardly by public appearances, protest marches, demonstrations and assemblies12. The registered Patriotic Front and National Alliance either headed such events together or their members took part in them.13 The aforementioned activation consisted in an apparently increasing effort to organise some events in Prague and obtain ”adequate” room for them here.14

Skinhead supporters who form the majority of right-wing extremists15 met also in 1999, most frequently at individual events (concerts, private parties, selected restaurants, etc.). In 1999, in addition to skinhead supporters, older persons whose organisations were led by university graduates, were also active. Nowadays,membership base is not only formed by skinhead supporters.

It should be stressed here that the majority of Czech skinheads are not organised and the cases of criminal offences, especially of a violent nature, committed by skinheads are mostly isolated actions of individuals who are not directly linked to the below mentioned organisations. However, the mentioned organisations are dangerous, since they form the base for the crimes of incitement of national and racial hatred.

  1. Neo-nazi and Fascist Organisations and Associations

    The activity of neo-nazi groups in 1998 were marked by essential changes in tactics of former members or their supporters by applying foreign experience and accepting advise from more experienced right-wing extremists operating outside the skinhead environment.

    The unregistered Blood&Honour Division Bohemia (B&H DB) played an important role in reforming this scene. As a consequence of successful intervention by the state bodies against this organisation in 1998 and 1999, its activity was considerably restrained. A range of so-called club activities under the auspices of this organisation (concerts and internal print-outs) is decreasing.

    Some right-wing extremist scene leaders (former members of B&H DB) attempt to get the freed space under their control and endeavour to be duly registered with the Ministry of Interior as a civic association (in 1999 there were such organisations as Junge Nationaldemokraten or the National Resistance) or as political parties (in 1999, it was the attempt of the National Social Alliance).16

    The unregistered National Resistance (NR) can be considered an organisation closely connected to B&H DB in terms of its activities, objectives and strategy (there are also some personnel links). Rather than skinhead concerts, this organisation arranged more frequent public demonstrations, manifestations and protest marches. Such events were duly reported to the relevant authorities by activists. Among the events which were organised by the National Resistance organisation in Prague, were the demonstrations ”For the Absolute Freedom of Speech” (March 1999), the manifestation held on Střelecký Island (May 1999) arranged in co-operation with the National Alliance and with participation of the Patriotic Front supporters, and finally the manifestation at náměstí Míru (Peace Square) to ”Commemorate the Last Victim of World War Two”, which took place on 21st August 1999 and where supporters of the National Alliance and Patriotic Front were present.17 The National Resistance members and supporters participated regularly in all demonstrations against NATO and European integration trends ingeneral.

    In October (23rd October1999) and in November (20th November 1999) the sympathisers of the NR met in České Budějovice together with the Prague representatives of this organisation. The main reason for such a meeting was to try to found the National Resistance branch in České Budějovice.

    The existence of several individuals (coming from Prague, Central Bohemia, Šumperk, Jeseník, Pilsen, and  České Budějovice districts) should be mentioned in the connection with the neo-nazi scene. They maintain contacts with the top members of the terrorist organisation, Combat 18, in Great Britain.18 In the course of 1999, those individuals did not carry out any action in the Czech Republic. Establishment of a Combat 18 branch has not been confirmed yet in the Czech Republic. A similar situation applies to information on the establishment of militant organisations Anti-Antifa (the branch of a German organisation of the same name fighting against militant ”anti-fascists” from the left-wing extremist spectrum) and the Legion of Honour, which might operate near Zlín and organise exercises of militant neo-nazis there.

    In 1999, the Bohemia Hammer Skins (BHS) organisation was only marginally apparent.

    The sphere of organised fascist groups was also represented by the Movement for National Unity (MNU) in 1999. Currently, this organisation has several tens of members and supporters. In 1999, the nation-wide MNU congress was held in Prague, where the further direction and meaning of the organisation were discussed. The discussion resulted in maintaining close contacts with an international organisation - the International Third Position (ITP)19; the closest co-operation, with the Patriotic Front, was discussed as well.

  2. Organisations Registered with the Ministry of Interior
3.1.3 The Left-wing Extremist Scene
3.1.4 Dangerous Sects and Pseudo-religious Organisations44

With a range of sects and pseudo-religious organisations operating in the country, the situation in the Czech Republic was in no way different to that in other European countries. In 1999, as well as in 1998, no demonstrable crime by dangerous sects was recorded in the Czech Republic. In this field, the Czech authorities can make use of the information from abroad and take account of it in their approach.45 Despite that, it is essential to note the main potential threats to the state in connection with the existence of such organisations. In terms of intelligence services, sects could be dangerous if their activities act against the principles of the state. According to the police, a destructive sect is one whose proclamations and whose members’ actions are in conflict with criminal law. Among the most serious risks is the infiltration of state structures, including the armed forces, by members of pseudo-religious organisations. All over the world, they try to penetrate state structures with subversive objectives, or with the aim of acquiring know-how, or gaining positions which would allow them to use their influence to the benefit of a group to which they belong. A further risk is a religious group convinced of a mission it has to fulfil – their members may try to gain the corresponding technical knowledge in the armed forces or may use violent means against the armed forces as a symbol of the ”despised state”. Threats coming unexpectedly from small groups, which no one had previously recorded as potential threats, tend to be the most dangerous. Certain groups with beliefs related to the millennium represent a latent risk as they may suddenly use violence in order to bring about their prophecies.

Most sects however do not make themselves visible and establish their communities in seclusion, in remote areas. The security units are informed of such communities after the affected persons lodge complaints or on the basis of local and personal information.46 This is a very complicated issue, which is not uniformly tackled in European countries and is the subject of extensive discussions.

3.1.5 Terrorism as a Potential Means of Achieving Extremist Objectives47

Terrorism is a violent method to threaten political opponents using threats and violence. With the help of terror they attempt to create extreme psychical pressure among individuals and groups of citizens.

Manifestations of terrorism are affected by an internal political situation and by a development in the international situation. Generally, the Czech extremist scene, as any other similar scene, is a classic risky environment for the emergence of politically oriented internal terrorist activities. The main potential risk here is the radicalisation of domestic extremist groups and their links to more militant foreign groups and their potential misuse by other organisations for their own purposes or interests.