At a journalist’s memorial, a politician spoke out. Then he learned from media he was under investigation.

An opposition politician who faced criminal charges over fiery comments aimed at senior politicians has seen the case against him abruptly dropped, deepening concerns about political interference and freedom of expression in the country.

Juraj Šeliga, deputy chair of the small opposition party Demokrati, discovered last week — via the media — that he was under investigation for incitement following remarks made at a memorial event in February marking the anniversary of journalist Ján Kuciak’s murder. He only learned of the formal charges when he went to the police in Galanta on Tuesday — by which time prosecutors had already overturned the case.

Šeliga had passionately urged President Peter Pellegrini and Justice Minister Boris Susko not to release Marian Kočner, a controversial businessman accused of ordering Kuciak’s killing but acquitted twice by lower courts. In the speech, Šeliga warned that granting Kočner amnesty would be so provocative that “the Presidential Palace and Justice Ministry would be torn down, maybe even physically”.

While prosecutors later deemed the statement metaphorical and part of legitimate political debate, police had treated it as a call for violence. Their investigation was prompted by a criminal complaint from David Lindtner — a lawyer and adviser to Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer), himself facing corruption charges — who argued that Šeliga’s words could spur supporters to attack state institutions.

Lawyer David Lindtner (source: SITA)

Lindtner, who claims to defend free speech, has previously represented far-right clients and allies of Fico. His ties to power run deep: he shares a law firm with Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) and the wife of a senior MP from Fico’s ruling Smer party.

Prosecutor Denisa Michalovič, however, ruled that the case against Šeliga was legally unsound. She criticised investigators for failing to question key witnesses and for relying on a two-minute, out-of-context video clip of the speech. Šeliga, a lawyer by training, had used “expressive and figurative language”, Michalovič wrote, which did not amount to incitement.

The affair has underscored the tense political climate under Fico’s fourth government, which has faced accusations of eroding democratic norms. Šeliga and his party allege that the charges were a deliberate attempt to silence dissent, pointing out that police officials handling the case were installed after the coalition returned to power last year.

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, a close ally of Fico and leader of the coalition partner Hlas, dismissed such claims and said Šeliga must take responsibility for his words.