Second level of terrorism threat declared in Slovakia

Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák declared a second level of terrorism threat in Slovakia as of Wednesday in connection with Tuesday's (March 22) attacks in Brussels and the worsened security situation in Europe. The decision is based on the recommendations of an expert group for coordinating the fight against terrorism. However, Slovakia isn't confronted with an imminent threat of a terrorist attack at the moment, claims the head of the Police Corps. According to the Ministry, the second level of terrorism threat is declared when an attempted or successful crime of terrorism is committed in any EU- or NATO-member state and if there is a likelihood of consequences of such an act for Slovakia and its citizens. The second level here entails an increased number of police officers on duty and police patrols in the streets, with no limitations whatsoever for citizens in their professional and public lives, stated Police Corps Presidium spokesperson Martin Waldl. These increases focus on places where there is a greater concentration of people such as airports, bus stations, shopping centres and on roads," stated Waldl.