By Timo Kirez
GENEVA (AA) - Austria began controlling its borders with the Czech Republic in the early hours of Wednesday to combat human trafficking.
The border controls are intended "to prevent an immediate shift of routes of the human smuggling mafia towards Austria," said a press release issued by the Austrian Interior Ministry.
Border controls will be closely coordinated with Czech authorities, the ministry said.
In Upper Austria, about 100 police officers have been deployed to close alternative routes of human trafficking.
Austria already controls its borders with Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia.
The border controls with the Czech Republic come after Germany decided on Monday to implement border controls with Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
"It is now necessary to take all possible measures to stop this cruel business with people's lives," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told local media on Monday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner told public broadcaster ORF that "international cooperation is crucial in the determined fight against illegal migration, the smuggling mafia, and terrorist threats."
According to the ministry, smugglers have been apprehended with increasing frequency in Upper Austria in recent weeks.
Police apprehended a trafficker in Walding, Austria, near the Czech border, who was attempting to bring 12 children and five adults to Germany. The investigation is still ongoing.