An investigator has pressed charges of corruption-related crimes against a member of the Police Corps’ National Anti-Corruption Unit, one officer from the Bratislava II District Police Directorate and two civilians, all detained by the police’s internal affairs inspectorate on Wednesday, June 13.
The case allegedly concerns an illegal landfill and a company called Vassal EKO, which provides services in the areas of waste management and recycling. The illegal dump represents a health risk to the drinking water in the Žitný Ostrov (Rye Island) area. This is an area of national importance as it is the biggest reservoir of drinking water in central Europe, with the capacity to supply as many as 15 million people, according to estimates by experts.
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The illegal landfill site, situated in Bratislava’s borough of Podunajské Biskupice and Vassal EKO have been linked for some time. In addition, the two civilians arrested, identified as Michal K. and Martin A, were representatives of the recycling arm of Vassal EKO.
The two police officers were charged with receiving bribes and the civilians with paying bribes.The member of the Police Corps’ National Anti-Corruption Unit and one of the civilians were later released.
The illegal landfill is located in Vassal EKO’s vicinity. The company says it has nothing to do with the dump as it is not on the company’s land. However, the Bratislava District Office claims that the landfill was created only after Vassal EKO started its business in the area. This can be proven by satellite images and orthophoto maps.
