Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) said on Sunday on STVR’s discussion programme O 5 minút 12 (Five Minutes to Twelve) that he does not expect President Peter Pellegrini to veto the amendment to the Penal Code. Kaliňák also defended the transformation of the Whistleblowers Protection Office (ÚOO).
According to him, the approved amendment is intended solely to ensure that cooperating defendants do not lie and instead provide truthful testimony. He also assured viewers that the new authority, which is to replace the current office, will remain independent.
His opponent on the programme, opposition PS leader Michal Šimečka, said that the abolition of the Whistleblowers Protection Office was deliberate and expressed doubts that the new body would be independent. Šimečka described overriding the president’s veto “by force” and before Christmas as “insane.” He also criticised the adoption of the Penal Code amendment, arguing that it would deprive the state of an effective tool to prosecute mafia members and organised crime. If cooperating defendants have lied once in high-profile cases, they would automatically be deemed untrustworthy in all subsequent cases, Šimečka added.
Source: TASR
