Organisers of the Gorilla protests announced that they plan to form a human chain around the parliament building during the parliamentary session on February 29 and block all exits, including that from the underground parking area, said one of the organisers, Peter Pčolinský, to a press conference on February 27, the TASR newswire reported.
"We'll form a human chain and won't let them out until they approve the abolition of MPs' immunity from prosecution for all crimes," Pčolinský stated, as quoted by TASR, and urged those taking part in the protest to bring sleeping bags and tents.
The organisers sent a letter to Prime Minister Iveta Radičová requesting her to include the scrapping of MPs’ immunity on the agenda of this parliamentary session. "If she doesn't do so, we'll expect MPs to find another way," Pčolinský stated, as quoted by TASR. If immunity is scrapped in fast-tracked proceeding, the protesters expect the law to be immediately signed by President Ivan Gašparovič, Radičová and Speaker of Parliament Pavol Hrušovský.
Pčolinský also said the protesters want a non-partisan government to be appointed and a commission, including two organisers of the rallies, to be established. He stated another protest will be held outside the headquarters of the Penta financial group in Petržalka.
The organisers also urged the General Prosecutor's Office to dissolve five political parties: the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), Smer, the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Most-Híd and Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO). "We've consulted this with a constitutional lawyer and the law provides for this," said another organiser, Lucia Gallová.
A fifth Gorilla Protest is scheduled in Bratislava for March 2 and a nation-wide protest is being planned for March 9, the day before the general election.
Source: 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.
