Slovakia legal and judicial disputes

Legal developments in Slovakia have centered on investigations into corruption and disputes over criminal procedure. The Bratislava Regional Prosecutor overturned a previous refusal to investigate a criminal complaint from the Stop Corruption Foundation, which alleged illegal actions by the Financial Administration’s Criminal Office regarding a non-profit organization. The prosecutor determined that suspicions of subsidy fraud fall under the jurisdiction of the Police Force.

Simultaneously, the Constitutional Court accepted a complaint from police officers involved in a dispute with Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok. This follows a legal battle regarding a previous judgment involving compensation and an apology.

Further tension has emerged regarding legislative changes to the Criminal Procedure Code. Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka criticized a proposed amendment concerning cooperating witnesses, describing the draft as “incomprehensible” and warning of potential constitutional issues. The proposed law, prepared by the Ministry of Justice, aims to replace current benefits for cooperating accused persons with a system of reduced sentences. The National Council has yet to pass the amendment, with a final vote scheduled for November 11.