The eastern cities of Košice and Prešov account for almost 40 per cent of criminal court cases across Slovakia, although crimes are solved more effectively there than in the west of the country, police sources say. Košice has a clear-up rate of 70 per cent, compared to just 30 per cent in Bratislava.
Officials also point out that the figures in the eastern regions include a higher proportion of nonviolent and financial crimes.
Last year there were over 24,000 court cases in Slovakia, of which almost 5,000 resulted in prison sentences, according to figures from the Justice Ministry.
Compiled by Conrad Toft from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.