The Specialised Criminal Court remanded former Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák in custody. Along with former Slovak PM and Smer-SD head Robert Fico, they are charged with masterminding a criminal group, misusing their powers and jeopardizing confidential tax information while in office.
The prosecutor in the case demanded that Kaliňák remain in custody due to concerns that he might influence witnesses, experts, his co-charged and otherwise obstruct justice. The former minister immediately appealed against the decision on Saturday. His complaint should be dealt with by the Supreme Court.
As Fico is currently an MP, he can only be remanded in custody after the approval of the Parliament. The Parliament Office has already registered such a request from the Special Prosecutor's Office. MPs should decide on the custody this week.
While serving as PM and Interior Minister, Fico and Kaliňák are also suspected of abusing the police and the financial administration to discredit political opponents, including former President Andrej Kiska and current Finance Minister Igor Matovič.
Fico claims that the charges have been made in order to close his "opposition mouth". In a video on a social network, the former PM also talked about the end of democracy and that the majority had decided to eliminate a minority. In the resolution on the indictment, as he stated, he reads about the criminal tax activities of Kiska and Matovič. "We truthfully informed the public about that. It is my only sin along with Robert Kaliňák," noted Fico.
Lawyer Marek Para, also charged in the case, was released on Sunday as the Specialized Criminal Court opted not to remand him in custody. The prosecutor in the case filed an immediate appeal against the decision. The complaint will be dealt with by the Supreme Court on May 2.
