Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, July 16 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Man detained over bomb threats to schools in 2024
The primary school in Bernolákovo near Bratislava. (source: TASR)
In May and September last year, hundreds of schools across Slovakia were repeatedly targeted by bomb and landmine threats sent via email. The September wave of threats also extended to Czechia. According to the Interior Ministry, the threats followed the same modus operandi. The emails from May were traced to addresses hosted on Russian domains.
On Wednesday, a joint raid conducted by Czech, Slovak, and Ukrainian police took place in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. One Ukrainian national was detained, the TASR newswire reported. Searches were carried out at several sites across the city, with police seizing computers and mobile telecommunications equipment.
According to the Czech intelligence agency, the Security Information Service (BIS), which participated in the raid, the suspect’s activities were likely financed by someone in Russia. Czech police added that the individual was also responsible for threats in other European countries.
In 2023, similar bomb threat incidents were reported in Lithuania and Estonia.
Following the threats, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas) proposed the introduction of a national camera system to cover approximately 3,200 primary and secondary schools. However, the project was never implemented.
Not without an issue: According to the SITA newswire, the Czech police criticised how their Slovak counterparts informed the public about the raid, claiming that the latter did so without notifying them first, and said that the Slovak side “tagged along” in the raid. According to Progressive Slovakia MP and former police president Jaroslav Spišiak, the Slovak police was invited to document the damage caused in Slovakia. He also noted that the Slovak police made no mention of Russia’s possible involvement in its reporting. His party has since called for Šutaj Eštok’s resignation.
Former interior minister and opposition MP Roman Mikulec (Slovensko movement) criticised both the Slovak police and Šutaj Eštók for their silence regarding Russia’s possible involvement, a link that Czech authorities had considered months earlier, according to him.
Juraj Šeliga of the non-parliamentary Demokrati party remarked that the Czech police has made it clear that political interference affects the work of the Slovak police. He questioned who had ordered the silence on Russia’s alleged role, pointing to Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) and Šutaj Eštok.
What the police says: In response to the criticism, the police dismissed claims that any information regarding the detained man had been withheld, labelling such assertions “a conspiracy”. They added that the extent of information disclosed always depends on the specific circumstances and must not undermine the integrity of ongoing criminal proceedings. Šutaj Eštok also rejected the criticism, calling it “denigration of the Slovak police”, according to TASR.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
SCAM WARNING: If you find this letter in your mailbox, it is fraudulent and a part of a scam targeting residents across Slovakia. Do not pay anything. Here are some pointers on what to look for in similar cases.
SUSTAINABILITY: In eastern Slovakia, engineers are working on what could become one of Europe’s most innovative green transport solutions – a hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing.
HOUSING: Up to 58 percent of people aged 25–34 in Slovakia live with their parents. This is not merely because the arrangement is convenient.
TRAVEL: Family cycling trips are a great way to spend quality time together, enjoy nature and encourage children to stay active. They should also be safe, not too demanding, and ideally scenic. The valleys of the Veľká Fatra mountains meet all these criteria.
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.
INTERVIEW
New railway chief eyes overhaul
Ivan Bednárik, the new head of ŽSR, Slovakia’s railway infrastructure operator. (source: SME/Jozef Jakubčo)
In mid-May, Ivan Bednárik became the new head of ŽSR, Slovakia’s railway infrastructure operator. He has experience managing rail transport in the Czech Republic. Bednárik has ambitious plans: he aims to repair and modernise tens of kilometres of track, partially reconstruct the Main Railway Station in Bratislava, and address overemployment at ŽSR.
EVENT FOR FRIDAY
A summer party to enjoy
The Nová Cvernovka venue. (source: TASR)
Looking to unwind after a long week? This Friday, the Nová Cvernovka venue will host another of its Leto pod Palmou events, featuring Irrenafford – a Ukrainian DJ who blends electro, jungle, footwork, and contemporary Ukrainian electronic music with her own compositions. The event starts at 19:00, and admission is free.
IN OTHER NEWS
Despite the current government’s repeated claims of financial prudence, it has appointed a record number of state secretaries (deputy ministers) – 36 in total. While ministries under previous governments typically had one or two, most now have two, with the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Economy, Education, and Investment each employing three. For comparison, the previous technocratic government led by Ľudovít Ódor had 23. State secretaries are also eligible for unlimited bonuses, with some reportedly receiving up to €20,000. (Pravda)
In a letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen and published on social media, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia would “never” support the REPowerEU plan, which aims to end the EU’s dependence on Russian energy. According to him, adopting the plan would harm Slovak households and the economy, while further weakening the competitiveness of the entire European Union. (TASR, Facebook)
Following the exclusion of Slovak football club FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda from the upcoming season of the UEFA Conference League in late June, the vacant spot has been awarded to FC Košice. As a result, the club from eastern Slovakia will return to European competition after 11 years. Slovakia will now be represented by Slovan Bratislava (Champions League), Spartak Trnava (Europa League), Žilina and Košice (Conference League). (Sportnet)
The harvest of rapeseed near the town of Nové Zámky, southern Slovakia. (source: TASR)
An 18th-century statue in the Rača borough of Bratislava, which was painted over last year, is set to be restored. According to Rača Mayor Michal Drotován, more than €11,000 has been raised to restore the statue to its original condition. The monument was defaced with white, blue, and red paint by an unknown perpetrator. (TASR)
A 31-year-old mother has been charged with murder after faking the drowning of her three-year-old son in the Liptovská Mara reservoir in northern Slovakia on July 14. Investigators later determined that she had killed her son at their home in Dolný Kubín before staging the drowning. (My Liptov)
Damage caused by last week’s strong winds in eastern Slovakia is now estimated to exceed €800,000, according to the Interior Ministry. As of Wednesday, a state of emergency remained in place across 31 towns and villages, as well as the entire district of Gelnica. Clean-up operations are ongoing. (TASR)
Police are seeking witnesses and information regarding a mass fight that took place on July 5 at a snack bar at Veľký Draždiak lake in Bratislava’s Petržalka borough. Two individuals sustained facial injuries. Criminal proceedings have been initiated. Anyone with relevant information is urged to call 158 or send a direct message via the police’s official Facebook page. (KRPZBA)
After 11 months of work, a Danube branch called Foki near the village of Gabčíkovo, southwestern Slovakia, has been restored. It was reshaped and reconnected with the main river channel. The goal is to create new biotopes for various species, including new spawning nests for fish in the river. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Cloudy to overcast skies are expected, with showers, rain, and occasional thunderstorms in many areas. Daytime temperatures will range from 15°C to 25°C. Wind may strengthen in the event of storms. (SHMÚ)
JULY 17 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Bohuslav
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).
