The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has filed a criminal complaint against Government Proxy for the Investigation into COVID-19 Pandemic Management Peter Kotlár over suspicions that Kotlár committed scaremongering with his statements last week that impugned the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, SaS representatives announced in front of the Prosecutor-General's Office on Monday.
"The statements that we heard have convinced us that the crime of scaremongering was committed," said House health committee member Tomas Szalay. He added that the complaint also includes several scientific studies and analyses that disprove Kotlár's claims. Szalay emphasised that the complaint is being filed ahead of Kotlár's meeting with Prosecutor-General Maroš Žilinka on Wednesday (March 19). "So, the prosecutor-general can confront Mr. Kotlár with the materials we're submitting to him," he explained.
SaS vice-chair Mária Kolíková emphasized that the criminal complaint is not meant to silence freedom of speech, but to address the legal consequences to which such statements lead. "If someone disseminates hoaxes, nonsense that can endanger health and lives, they should face the consequences," she said.
Last week, Kotlár declared that his analysis of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines proved that they are capable of modifying human DNA, which, in his opinion, can lead to the development of several serious illnesses.
Kotlár's statements have been condemned by experts and health institutions alike, who have pointed out that Kotlár failed to submit any scientific evidence to back up his claims. The opposition is demanding Kotlár's ouster.
Source: TASR
