Russian Official Calls Czech Biometric Border Requirement “Russophobic”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has criticized the Czech Republic’s recent implementation of a new policy that requires Russian citizens entering or staying in the country to have biometric passports. Zakharova described the decision as discriminatory, and accused the Czech government of targeting ordinary Russian citizens.

“By refusing to accept Russian passports lacking biometrical chips, Czech authorities have added to their list of discriminatory measures against Russia & once again demonstrated their Russophobic approaches,” wrote Zakharova in a social media post. “In this case, ordinary Russians became their main target.”

However, Czech officials have justified the policy as a necessary measure to prevent potential security threats, particularly in light of ongoing tensions and incidents connected to Russian intelligence operations in Europe.

The Czech Republic says it instituted the new policy, effective as of July 2024, as a response to incidents involving Russian intelligence activities in Europe, including 2014 explosions at ammunition depots in Vrbetice. Czech authorities linked these events to individuals who entered the country using non-biometric passports, leading to the implementation of stricter identity verification measures.

The European Union, while not mandating biometric passports for entry, allows member states like the Czech Republic to establish specific entry requirements based on national security needs. This policy aligns with broader European efforts to manage security risks associated with the current geopolitical climate.

Source: VOA

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August 28, 2024 — by Tony Bitzionis