The Office for the Fight Against Organized Crime (ÚBOK) is forming a new investigative team to examine Slovakia’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This special team, announced by Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, will investigate several areas, including the allocation of public funds for mobile testing sites, allegedly overpriced medical supplies, and the procurement of vaccines, such as the Sputnik V from Russia.
Minister Eštok criticized the allocation of testing contracts, saying, "During the pandemic, contracts for testing centers, funded up to €30,000 per month, were awarded without clear criteria." He added that the team would also examine who is politically and legally accountable for the 20,000 COVID-related deaths in Slovakia. "Families deserve answers on who is responsible," said Eštok.
Police President Ľubomír Solák explained that this expanded investigation builds on efforts that began last year, led by the General Prosecutor’s Office, and will now address broader issues.
Source: TASR
