Slovakia police investigate school threats and misconduct

Slovak authorities are investigating a criminal case of dangerous threats following an incident at a secondary school in Bytčica, near Žilina. While social media reports suggested a student brandished a knife in class, the school director stated these claims were unsubstantiated, and police confirmed no physical attack occurred.

This investigation follows a broader trend of increased reporting of school-related violence. Following a fatal attack in Staškov in late September, police have recorded dozens of new cases of verbal and physical assaults, primarily in elementary schools, as educational institutions become more proactive in reporting such behavior.

In a separate legal development related to school safety, a former police chief in Spišská Stará Ves is scheduled to appear in court on October 15. He faces charges of obstructing a public official in connection with a tragic attack on a gymnasium in January 2025. Investigators allege the official failed to treat serious threats made by a student as a criminal matter, instead classifying them as mere bullying, which contributed to the subsequent tragedy.