Smer MP Erik Kaliňák. (source: TASR)
Several days ahead of Slovakia marking six years since the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, a group of journalists are being attacked by the ruling party Smer.
On Thursday, the ruling party Smer filed a criminal complaint with the General Prosecutor’s Office against journalist and novelist Martin Šimečka of the Denník N daily for his remarks about Slovak people.
Back in January, the journalist criticised PM Robert Fico (Smer) in a Denník N discussion, How to Save Democracy, for his earlier statement about Ukraine not being a sovereign country.
“This is what the prime minister of a small, cowardly nation that has never really put up a fight is saying to Ukrainians who are dying for their sovereignty,” Šimečka said.
His colleague, Matúš Kostolný, called Fico a ‘coward’ during the debate.
Smer believes that Šimečka, who is the father of opposition leader Michal Šimečka (Progresívne Slovensko), engaged in the act of defamation of a nation. The party described his comment on the nation as ‘an undignified adding of fuel to the fire’.
According to the journalist, Smer continues its policy of intimidating journalists.
