Roman Michelko to pay 10,000 euros to settle dispute with Ján Čurilla

Slovak MP Roman Michelko (SNS) and former police investigator Ján Čurilla have reached a legal settlement regarding a personality rights dispute. The agreement was approved by the Bratislava IV City Court.

The dispute originated from comments Michelko made during a February 2024 STVR broadcast regarding the investigation of student Daniel Tupý’s murder. Michelko had accused Čurilla of being personally responsible for the lack of progress in the investigation, labeling him a “total incompetent” and a “criminal.”

Under the terms of the settlement, Michelko will pay Čurilla 10,000 euros in compensation for non-pecuniary harm, plus legal costs. Michelko is also required to issue a public apology within five days. While Čurilla initially sought 70,000 euros, he stated that his primary goal was an apology rather than financial gain. Michelko admitted his statements were inaccurate, noting he had received information shortly before the broadcast and failed to verify it.