Grasping the nettle: Ending Europe’s Trade in Execution and Torture Technology 19 Czech Republic – restraints for attachment to fixed objects The Czech company ALFA - PROJ spol. s r.o, manufactures and promotes a range of small arms and restraint equipment.71 Among the products advertised on the company website as of 12 May 2015 are a range of “handcuffs and leg-irons” including the “Ralkem 9923.”72 This constitutes a single cuff connected to a 20 cm chain linked to a large rectangular end piece. Although the product has been marketed for attachment to suitcases,73 the manufacturer on its website has described the product as “Handcuffs - Business - police handcuffs – 9923”74 and stated a potential use was “to confine persons in detention.”75 On 20 May 2015, in response to an information request from Amnesty International and Omega, ALFA-PROJ stated that the information on its website was “faulty” and subsequently removed reference to use of the 9923 handcuffs to confine detainees.76 As of 20 May 2015, this product was still promoted on Above: The Ralkem 9923 single cuff, manufactured by the Czech Company Alfa Proj. the company website. Czech Republic – ‘network bed’ Above: A net bed promoted by the Czech based company, “laboratory and medical equipment opting service.” Following the adoption of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 775/2014 in July 2014, a range of goods was added to Annex II of EC Regulation 1236/2005 including: “2.8. Net beds: beds comprising a cage (four sides and a ceiling) or similar structure enclosing a human being within the confines of the bed, the ceiling or one or more sides of which are fitted with nets, and which can only be opened from outside.”77 The import and export of such items is consequently prohibited in all EU Member States. The Czech company, Audy s.r.o., has previously manufactured and promoted the “network bed for restless 71 Alfa Proj website, http://www.alfa-proj.cz/en/about-alfa-proj/about-us/ (accessed 14 May 2015). 72 Alfa Proj brochure, undated, distributed at IWA 2014 exhibition, Nuremberg, 7-14 March, 7 2014, p.10. 73 Alfa Proj brochure, undated, distributed at IWA 2014 exhibition, Nuremberg, 7-14 March, 7 2014, p.10. 74 Original Czech wording: “Pouta - služební - policejní pouta – 9923”. See Czech language version of Alfra Proj website, http://www.alfaproj.cz/pouta-sluzebni-policejni-pouta/9923-s289415 (accessed 12 May 2015). 75 Original Czech wording: “Pouta policejní služební ralkem kufříková slouží pro spoutání osob po zadržení. Pouta využijí příslušníci policejních složek. Pouta policejní služební ralkem využijí i příslušníci vojenské policie a dalších bezpečnostních složek. Unofficial English translation: “Handcuffs police service RALK suitcase used to confine persons in detention. Handcuffs utilize law enforcement agencies. Handcuffs police service RALK use members of the Military Police and other security forces”. See Czech language version of Alfra Proj website, http://www.alfa-proj.cz/pouta-sluzebni-policejni-pouta/9923-s289415 (accessed 14 May 2015). 76 Email correspondence to Amnesty International and Omega from Vie Manager, ALFA-PROJ spol.s.r.o. 77 European Commission, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 775/2014 of 16 July 2014. Index: EUR 01/1632/2015 Amnesty International May 2015