Slovak Police Corps President Peter Kovařík does not agree with the critical opinions of how police managed anti-vaccination protests taking place last week in Bratislava.
"The criticism from politicians, the public and pseudo-experts does not change anything about the fact that no lives were lost, no one was injured and no property was damaged," said Kovařík. According to him, the police monitor and oversee public gatherings, which are guaranteed by the Constitution, to prevent unlawful conduct. "Under no circumstances may the police's course of action initiate escalation that could lead to violence," he claimed adding that the crowd did not show any signs of aggression.
On the other hand, the TASR press agency wrote the blocking of roads was accompanied by minor incidents with passing by drivers, pedestrians and journalists. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová stated that the expression of opinion must not grow into aggressive calls or physical conflicts. "If the result of the police's tactics are blocked roads and a feeling of fear among the citizens from the growing aggression of some protesters, then it is definitely appropriate for the Interior Ministry to explain the situation," said Deputy Foreign Minister Martin Klus.
Interior Minister Roman Mikulec rejects claims that the police were just standing by idly for hours during the protest however said that the public cannot require them to use a risky intervention to deal with individuals at mass events if there are other options available to them. On the other hand, Mikulec views it absurd if protesters want to express their opinion with eggs, ketchup or spitting. "This is miles away from a decent dialogue offered and enabled by a democratic society," noted the minister.
Deputy chair of Governing For the People party Juraj Šeliga noted that he values the work of the police, but does not understand how it is possible to block the traffic in the city center for several hours. He also referred to past protests in the capital, which caused blocked roads for no more than 30 minutes.
