Speaking after the Security Council session on Friday due to National Crime Agency actions, President Zuzana Caputova underlined that room for intervention by politicians and action against the police would be created only if the prosecution service and courts stated that the criminal prosecutions were unfounded.
"No political coup is taking place in Slovakia, an investigation is underway into crimes whose extent has been heavily covered by the media," stated Caputova, adding that several suspects have already confessed, while some others have been charged and some even lawfully convicted. The head of state understands that people are confused and don't know what to believe.
Any police action touching on the leadership of the security forces is very sensitive from the viewpoint of the functioning of democracy, not to mention that these steps are closely monitored not only at home, but abroad as well," she said. Therefore, she assured the public that all the institutions in question are being led by their deputy directors and are taking the necessary steps vis-a-vis partners at home and abroad.
The president noted that the current situation doesn't allow politicians to come to premature conclusions. In a country respecting the rule of law, only the supervising prosecutor's office and respective courts can give a relevant answer as to whether or not criminal proceedings were lawful and founded, stated Caputova.
Meanwhile, the president denied that she knew about the police action in advance. "Informing any politician of planned police action would be unlawful," she said. She intends to defend herself against false accusations, and such lies will be involved in the motion against Smer-SD leader Robert Fico that she plans to file in court.
The chief of the Slovak Secret Service Michal Alac, his predecessor Vladimir Pcolinsky, NAKA ex-member Jan Kalavsky and Slovak Secret Service ex-member Martin Cyriak were accused of being members of the group around businessman Peter Kosc who has been on the run for 2 years. The charges concern a criminal group that obstructed investigations into corruption and other criminal cases, created the impression that witness testimonies are being manipulated by investigators, and attempted to discredit the law-enforcement authorities. Two individuals have been charged with the abuse of public officials' powers out of vengeance.
Only Martin Cyriak is currently on the territory of the Slovak Republic, the rest of the group members are abroad. However, they claim they will cooperate.
Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka posted on a social network that he hadn't personally taken any action and made no decision in matters related to Thursday's police operation Resolution, which has led to the NAKA raids.
Source: TASR, RTVS
