The chairman of the Slovak National Party (SNS), Ján Slota, has so far avoided a fine for two controversial aeroplane flights, as Parliament's conflict of interest committee on October 8 stopped proceedings against him over his recent flight to Croatia in a private plane, given that he submitted evidence that he paid for the flight, the TASR newswire reported.
Slota will still have to explain his flight in a private Delfin jet under suspicious circumstances vis-a-vis its owner. According to the opposition parties, Slota did not comment on this matter but only submitted a statement through his lawyers concerning the definition of a gift.
The head of the committee, Ágnes Biró, from the SMK party queried the invoice and proof of payment Slota submitted concerning the flight to Croatia.
“Both documents were issued on July 23rd, also on the day of the departure while the heading indicates they were issued in Prague. How is it possible that somebody pays money in Prague and on the same day, they fly from Žilina?” she said.
MP Milada Belásová (SNS) considers the whole case to be a media uproar and said she is very surprised by the voting of Smer MPs, who have okayed the conflict of interest committee's request for Slota to explain his flights. Commenting on the documents submitted by Slota, she said they are trustworthy, but “whoever wants to beat a dog will find a stick”.
Slota insists that he submitted all relevant information to the committee and that he “very clearly explained” both matters.
“I can make further comments on the matter of the rental of the jet only after I get a written request from the committee. I consider today's decision of the conflict of interest committee as an artificial media blow-up concerning an absolutely irrelevant matter,” said Slota.
“The Croatia flight, questioned by media, was explained by relevant documents - an invoice and a confirmation of payment and the explanation of the jet loan I backed with legal analyses,” Slota told TASR.
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
