AT its session on November 16 the Slovak cabinet approved a draft bill to compensate victims of violent crimes. If the draft bill finds support in parliament, the victims or their families will be entitled to financial compensation as of next year, the SITA news agency reported.
According to current legislation, the Justice Ministry may or may not award compensation to a victim. The Justice Ministry now proposes to introduce fixed sums depending on the crimes committed. In case of a murder, for instance, the family of the victim will be entitled to Sk350,000 (€9,000)while rape victims will be entitled to Sk70,000 (€1,800).
The perpetrator of the crime will pay the compensation to the victim or the victim's relatives. If the perpetrator is unknown or is incapable of paying, the state will pay the compensation and will later reclaim the money from the perpetrator.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
