Organised Crime in the Czech Republic in 2006 Compared with Developments Between 1993 and 2005

• NCJ Number: 224018
• Author(s): Martin Cejp
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 38 pages
• Sale Source: Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Czech Republic
• Note: From Criminality in 2006

Annotation

Based primarily on data and information provided by experts on organized crime in the Czech Republic, this chapter addresses the characteristics of organized crime groups; numbers arrested, charged, and convicted for criminal conspiracy; and the activities of organized crime groups.

Abstract

As used in this chapter, “organized crime” refers to “the recurrent (systematic) perpetration of target-oriented coordinated serious criminal activity (and activities supporting this activity) whose involved entities are criminal groups or organizations (mostly with a multilevel vertical organization structure) and whose main aim is to achieve the maximum illegal profits while minimizing risk.” The only statistical data available that suggests the prevalence of organized crime in the Czech Republic consists of the numbers of prosecuted and charged persons pursuant to Section 163a of the Criminal Code on criminal conspiracy, which became effective January 1, 1995. Given the difficulty of proving guilt under Section 163a, convictions were rare up to 2003. In 2004, 10 people were convicted; and in 2005, 9 people were convicted. This is not even one-tenth of the number charged, however. Half of the criminal groups in the Czech Republic can be considered structured groups, meaning that they have senior managing elements. The proportion of women in these groups is approximately 15 percent. They are generally involved in managing the organizational aspects of a criminal group. In addition, they participate in trafficking in women, procuring and soliciting prostitution, trafficking in people for sexual exploitation, trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances, financial fraud, corruption, money laundering, and the founding of fictitious firms. Foreigners are responsible for approximately half of organized crime in the Czech Republic. The most common offenses of organized crime groups are car theft; organizing prostitution; and the production, smuggling, and distribution of drugs. 33 tables