Former police chiefs charged in operation 'Purgatory'

The National Crime Agency carried out on Thursday morning a raid on the houses of several former senior police officials, including the former Police Corps president Tibor Gašpar. During the operation codenamed 'Purgatory', several people have been detained and according to Special Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Jana Tökölyová, also charged with several crimes. The charges include the crime of setting up and supporting an organised criminal group, various corruption crimes, and the misuse of powers. The former senior police officials detained by the Crime Agency also include, besides the former Police Corps president Tibor Gašpar, the former National Crime Agency's head Peter Hraško and the former head of the agency's financial unit Bernard Slobodník. In his reaction, the former PM Robert Fico declared that Tibor Gašpar was a very good police president, but he did not know what he did in his private time. Nonetheless, Fico told the journalist he will not throw people overboard, just because they want him to.