Government approves new counter-terrorism legislation

New laws prepared by the Justice Ministry should soon enter force, aimed at fighting against terrorism. The Ministry took Slovakia's international commitments and expert opinion into account when drafting the new Criminal Code legislative changes. The draft amendment, which was approved by the government on Wednesday, also adopts European rules on procedural safeguards for children suspected or accused in criminal proceedings, in which audiovisual recordings of hearings are to be made to ensure their protection. The Ministry also more clearly defines terrorism to separate terrorist offenses from others. The new legislation aims to clarify independent factions of terrorist acts: the offense itself, the financing of terrorism, and travel for the purpose of terrorism.