Corruption & scandals
News on corruption in Slovakia
Why Slovak central banker was convicted of bribery
Document obtained by SME shows judge dismissed Peter Kažimír’s defence as a diversion from the facts.
Tender rules helped Slovak builder turn subsidies into millions
Jaroslav Molda’s firms boomed on farm-subsidy projects, sometimes facing only each other in tenders.
Slovak whistleblower barred from work despite court victory
Former ambulance service economist remains on payroll but sidelined after exposing controversial tender.
Madness, season five
From Zajac to Šaško, nothing fundamental changes in the ambulance service.
Ambulance tender meant to save lives sparks political storm instead
The €2 billion ambulance tender, the biggest in Slovak healthcare history, halted after outcry over secrecy and alleged favouritism.
Slovak winemakers tied to bribery scandal linked to EU subsidies
The small border village of Vinica has emerged as a focal point in a corruption scandal over agricultural subsidies.
State lottery funds channelled to projects linked to minister’s party
Audit warnings in 2021 ignored while minister’s party allies hit jackpot.
‘Caravan project’ raises questions over farm subsidy scheme
A tourism venture funded by EU-backed agricultural subsidies shut down as soon as its five-year obligation ended.
Interior minister is spending big on stress balls while telling the public to tighten their belts
Matúš Šutaj Eštok says a €600k open day and €1.5m in merch is about “building trust”. Critics say it is just another taxpayer-funded ego trip.
Forest project touted as climate victory now under fraud investigation
Police raids under Operation Colombia allege millions in EU funds were paid for incomplete work.
Slovakia’s eye-watering €326M plan for PCs — and they do not even have Windows
Interior Minister Šutaj Eštok defends huge public procurement plan as ‘modernisation’.
Fico’s inner circle faces trial in landmark corruption case
The long-delayed “Purgatory” case, involving a former police chief and a politically connected tycoon, is finally moving to court.
She flagged minister’s undeclared villa. He wants her fined €80,000
Defence Minister Kaliňák says it’s about the law. MP Veronika Remišová says it’s a mafia move.
Brewed for scandal? Slovak police shirts must contain coffee fibres – and nobody knows why
Critics claim it is a tailor-made deal for a select supplier.
Former top anti-corruption prosecutor convicted in second corruption case
Dušan Kováčik has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Former chief prosecutor convicted of corruption is free, thanks to justice minister
Dušan Kováčik, an important figure for Prime Minister Robert Fico, has been convicted of corruption and is now facing charges in two additional major cases.
Interior minister shifts blame to subordinates over top investigators' suspension, downplays fiery language
Interior Ministry to pay fine for suspension of investigators.
Explainer: What the court's seven decisions on suspended elite investigators mean
Differing decisions may be unified by regional court.
Slovakia apologises to ex-interior minister Kaliňák
The apology to Smer’s future defence minister concerns the Twilight criminal case.
Elite police investigators surprise Fico
Smer has threatened to fire top investigators dealing with cases linked to the party.
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