Pro-Putin Russian motorcycle club creates Bratislava branch

The pro-Kremlin motorcycle club, the Night Wolves have created a European branch just outside the Slovak capital, triggering concern in the EU and NATO member, reports AFP. The controversial and staunchly pro-Putin motorcycle club stages a symbolic ride through Europe in May each year, celebrating the Soviet victory in World War II. The opening of the club branch has triggered concern from Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, with a foreign ministry spokesperson Peter Susko stating that he is concerned with the club's presence on Slovak soil. "We consider the opinions of some of its members harmful," he added. Slovak Security Policy Institute head Jaroslav Naď described the club as a para-military group on the Russian government's payroll that is involved in criminal activity. "It's incredible that they could establish what is almost a military base with barbed wire [in Slovakia], and I can't understand why Slovakia's security forces tolerate this," he stated.