Czech Intelligence Report Exposes Russian, Chinese Spying

Pro-communist supporters hold flags and a portrait of Vladimir Lenin as they protest against the government in central Prague, Czech, in this file photo. MichalI Cizek/AFP/Getty Images

The Czech intelligence service (BIS) in its annual report for 2018 published on Nov. 26, warned against threats from Chinese and Russian intelligence trying to weaken Czech institutions, and influence politicians to act in the interests of these foreign powers.

Operations of both intelligence services focus on infiltrating areas of politics, diplomacy, espionage, economy, and information in the Czech Republic. The methods used by China and Russia differ due to geographical and historical factors.

Russian Infiltration

Russia uses unconventional (so-called hybrid) intelligence operations against those who it considers its enemies, which presents a much bigger threat to Czechia than typical intelligence operations, says the report.