Robert Kaliňák (source: TASR)
The abduction of Vietnamese businessman Trinh Xuan Thanh from Germany, via Slovakia in a special governmental plane, with the knowledge of the Slovak authorities, is a fabricated accusation and false news, said ex-interior minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) at a December 6 press conference.
In his opinion, the investigation has so far shown that he had no knowledge of the abduction, it did not happen with his permission and, if Thanh was really abducted in this way, Slovakia was deceived.
Kaliňák asked both the media and the opposition to apologise for the lies told to civilians working at the Interior Ministry. He also reproached President Andrej Kiska for speaking about the abuse of the power in this connection and is ready to take legal action against both the president and the Denník N daily.
President understands Kaliňák’s fear
“He[Kiska] whispered from the wings that I obtained a hotel complex for this incident,” said Kaliňák, as quoted by the SITA newswire. “There are witnesses that would be happy to testify before the court. The president is protected by immunity but not in a civil proceeding. I would be glad to meet him in court.”
Kaliňák also criticised the decision of Trnava Region Governor Jozef Viskupič to forbid conspiracy media in the libraries situated in the region, SITA wrote.
“The president will not deal with the former interior minister, but he understands his fear,” Kiska’sspokesperson Roman Krpelan said, as quoted by SITA.
Questions about Poland
Journalists also asked Kaliňák why he lied to the Poles when he said he was sitting on a plane heading to Moscow, even though he was not. The ex-minister replied that he did not lie, although the Foreign Affairs Ministry informed that Poland only approved the flight after the Interior Ministry had stated in their request that the delegation was to be led by then-interior minister Kaliňák.
When journalists protested that there are still some inconsistencies in this case, which could be checked by the General Prosecutor’s Office, he replied that there are no doubts, SITA reported.
At the same time, he claimed that no politician was actively involved in the abduction, although he admitted that the Vietnamese could have deceived Slovakia. He does not, however, believe this to be the case.
