Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, May 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Košice ex-cop sentenced to 8 years for manslaughter
The charged police office Marek A. at the Košice court last year. (source: TASR)
In November last year, a 48-year-old homeless man was arrested at a Kaufland grocery store in Košice after allegedly attempting to steal alcohol. Store security detained him in a designated room and called the police. According to report, the man was then severely beaten by two police officers—one struck his head at least five times, causing fatal intracranial bleeding, while the other delivered a single blow to the side of his head. The victim died in hospital the following day from severe brain swelling.
The two officers involved—Marek A., with 20 years of police experience, and Oliver I.—were detained days after the attack. The case sparked outrage amid longstanding concerns over police brutality.
On Wednesday, Košice City Court sentenced Marek A. to 8 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter. Oliver I. received a suspended sentence of two years and eight months, with three years’ probation, for abusing official powers.
The verdict is not final and may be appealed. Both men pleaded guilty.
Marek A. will serve his sentence in a minimum-security facility and is banned from police or private security work for six years. He must also cover funeral costs and compensate the health insurance company.
“I am very sorry for what happened; I cannot explain my impulsive behaviour,” Marek A. said in his closing statement. Oliver I. also expressed regret and offered condolences to the family.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
OPINION: Former finance minister asks when will the opposition wake up to reality and arggues that the parties should have long since agreed on a joint approach and formed a shadow government.
LITERARY FALLOUT: Slovak Literary Centre director with ties to conspiracy media has been declared persona non grata at a Czech book fair after insulting former Czech president, among other things.
LIFE IN THE CITY: Paris leads, Bratislava trails. European cities have been ranked on how safe the streets are for children when it comes to traffic.
ADVERTORIAL: The Slovak Spectator is hiring – join our team
Gain hands-on experience as a student intern at Slovakia’s English-language newsroom.
If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.
FEATURE STORY
Press under pressure
Journalists during a press conference. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
Observers have long been vocal about one danger of the media capture model practised by Orbán: that it may serve as inspiration or a playbook for other aspiring autocrats in the region.
The media capture model was not invented by Orbán, but rather was inspired by the actions of the Putin regime in Russia and the steps taken by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
What students have been up to?
Works of Academy of Fine Arts and Design students. (source: TASR)
The Academy of Fine Arts and Design (AFAD) in Bratislava is once again hosting its Summer Semester exhibition, offering the public a glimpse into the latest student work across fine arts, design, architecture, and restoration. The exhibition runs from Friday to Sunday and takes place across three AFAD buildings—on Hviezdoslavovo Námestie, Drotárska Street, and Koceľova Street. All venues will be open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. Find out more about what you can see here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The government has approved an amendment to the law on the residence of foreigners, which the Interior Ministry says will ease the burden on the Foreigners' Police and simplify the system. Some administrative obligations for the police could be eliminated. The proposal includes, for example, the removal of the requirement for foreigners to submit proof of financial means to support their stay, as this condition can be verified after a residence permit has been granted. The amendment could also extend the validity of national visas issued for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit. Currently valid for 90 days, these visas could be extended to 120 days under the new rules. Additionally, foreigners would be able to handle their personal matters at any Foreigners' Police department, rather than having to visit the one corresponding to their place of residence, as is currently required. (TASR)
The coalition pro-Russian SNS party has criticised Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) for backing a new EU sanctions package against Russia. SNS claims the sanctions isolate the EU, undermine its competitiveness, and devalue the euro. Party leader Andrej Danko has urged Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) to reassess Blanár’s mandate. (TASR)
Four boxes for PET bottles will be added to the Štrbské Pleso resort in the High Tatras, with the first one already installed near the mountain lake. The goal is to prevent the accumulation of plastic waste in places with high number of tourists.Later, one will be placed in the direction of the Vodopád Skok waterfall, another in the direction of the Popradské Pleso mountain lake, and the last one near the squirrel park. (source: TASR)
Interior Minister and Hlas party chair Matúš Šutaj Eštok has announced that his party has prepared a “specific proposal” to reform the financing of political parties. He suggested reviewing subsidies paid to parties unlikely to enter parliament. Šutaj Eštok also questioned the necessity of maintaining 150 MPs, proposing that 100 could suffice to uphold Slovakia’s democratic values. Additionally, the possibility of reducing the number of ministries was raised. In fact, in 2024, a new ministry was created specifically for the coalition partner SNS. (TASR)
The Bratislava Regional Prosecutor’s Office has dropped charges against former environment minister Juraj Budaj due to procedural and legal issues. However, a prosecutor has instructed investigators to reindict Budaj through proper legal channels. Budaj was initially charged on 12 May with the continuous offence of breaching fiduciary duties in relation to the alleged mismanagement of Environment Ministry funds, reportedly causing damages of nearly €570,000. (TASR)
Railway traffic between Dlhá nad Oravou and Podbiel in northern Slovakia has been suspended since Wednesday morning due to a suspected landslide. Replacement bus services have been arranged for passengers until the issue is resolved. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Cloudy to overcast skies are expected across much of the country, with showers and rain in many areas. Occasional storms are likely, as a level 1 storm warning has been issued nationwide. Daily temperatures will reach between 20°C and 25°C. (SHMÚ)
MAY 22 DATE NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Júlia, Juliana
Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.
P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram(@slovakspectator).
