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Austria tightens border checks with Hungary after thousands of people smugglers released from jail
- The Hungarian government is releasing thousands of foreign prisoners serving sentences for human trafficking and they must leave Hungary within 72 hours
- Vehicles from Hungary, Romania and Serbia will be subjected to greater border checks, the Interior Ministry said in Vienna on Sunday
Austria is tightening controls along its border with Hungary after Budapest said it would release thousands of convicted people smugglers from prison.
Vehicles from Hungary, Romania and Serbia will be subjected to greater border checks, the Interior Ministry said in Vienna on Sunday.
In addition, police cooperation with fellow EU member Hungary is being reviewed, it said.
The Hungarian government is releasing thousands of foreign prisoners serving sentences for human trafficking. The only condition is that they leave Hungary within 72 hours, according to a decree issued by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Duo charged with playing Hitler speeches over Austrian train loudspeaker
Duo charged with playing Hitler speeches over Austrian train loudspeaker
The Austrian Interior Ministry reacted with irritation after the measure became known on Friday, pointing out that the detainees were criminals who had endangered human lives.
Irregular migration to western Europe via the Balkan route mainly passes through Hungary.
In April, Austria registered a total of about 3,500 new asylum applications, a third less than a year ago. The Interior Ministry attributes the decrease to the consistent monitoring of smuggling routes as well as to increased cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
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