Sutaj Estok: Police Conduct Preventive Anti-Migration Operation at Border

Bratislava, January 30 (TASR) - The police are carrying out a preventive operation at the Hungary-Slovakia border aimed at limiting illegal migration into the European Union (EU), Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and Police Corps Vice-president Rastislav Polakovic stated at a press conference on Thursday, adding that the operation will last until 7 p.m. "This operation clearly demonstrates that Slovakia isn't a friendly country for human traffickers of illegal migrants. We want to protect Schengen, our borders, and the safety of people in Slovakia through actions such as these," said Sutaj Estok. The minister stated that 126 police officers are involved in the operation, along with dogs, service horses, and specialised equipment, including vehicles and drones. The police are checking 16 road border crossings, two railway crossings, and also monitoring the Danube River. Sutaj Estok remarked that the number of illegal migrants has decreased compared to 2023. According to him, Slovakia didn't behave responsibly in the area of illegal migration under previous governments. Police Vice-president Polakovic stated that the operation serves also as a training exercise in case the migration situation worsens. According to him, the police are coordinating with customs officers and firefighters, adding that they will provide more information on the results of the operation. lin/mcs