Slovenia Deploys Police on Border Crossings to Prevent Security Threats
OBREZJE, Slovenia – In a move to enhance security measures, Slovenia has deployed police on border crossings with Croatia and Hungary, leading to queues as travelers wait to have their documents checked.
The decision to introduce temporary border controls until October 30 was made by the Slovenian government following Italy’s decision to introduce controls on its border crossing with Slovenia. This move aims to improve home security in both countries.
According to the Slovenian news agency STA, police have been deployed on 14 out of the total 32 border crossings with Croatia and Hungary. The remaining 18 crossings will not have a permanent police presence.
At the Obrezje crossing on the border with Croatia, long queues of travelers gathered to have their papers checked. This is the first time checks have taken place since Croatia joined the control-free Schengen Area on January 1st of this year.
Katica Fjacko, a traveler from the Croatian capital Zagreb, expressed her concern over the chaos caused by the sudden implementation of controls. She stated, “Now this is a bigger chaos; people are worried.”
The Slovenian government has explained its decision to introduce border controls by citing security threats from individuals associated with various terrorist and extremist movements and groups. These individuals are believed to be moving from areas of armed conflict with the aim of reaching Europe. The government also highlighted the rise of organized crime in the western Balkans as another reason for the increased security measures.
This development marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens in Slovenia and its neighboring countries. The deployment of police on border crossings demonstrates a commitment to tackling potential security threats and maintaining law and order.
Reporting by Antonio Bronic; Writing by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by David Holmes