Government Proxy for Investigating COVID-19 Pandemic Management Peter Kotlar has called on the Prosecutor-General's Office to clarify the current status of progress regarding the submission concerning mRNA vaccines that he filed in March. In the report he claimed that certain batches of mRNA vaccines have the potential to alter human DNA and cause serious illnesses.
In response to Kotlar's claims, Health Minister Šaško asked the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) in May to test COVID-19 vaccine samples. In early September, representatives from the SAV Biomedical Research Centre confirmed that the residual DNA content in the vaccines was within regulatory limits. At the same time, they warned that spreading pseudo-scientific and fabricated claims could dangerously manipulate public fears.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Kotlar also stated that he'll refrain from any further public actions and comments until the state budget for next year is approved.
"If the government is dissatisfied with me, it can dismiss me at the next session — even in my absence," said Kotlar repeatedly during the briefing.
He issued a direct appeal to the Hlas-SD party and President Peter Pellegrini, urging them not to interfere with his mandate or attempt to define what should be considered important in his role. Kotlar also called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to reject international health regulations before the state budget is passed.
Furthermore, he demanded that Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas-SD) should publicly and clearly confirm whether COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and provide justification for his statements.
Kotlar also called for full transparency regarding pandemic-related financial management, urging the Interior, Economy and Health Ministries to publish the results of audits related to spending during the COVID-19 crisis.
He also urged the government to organise public round-table discussions that include dissenting voices. "Invite experts and doctors — whether it's Dr. Jan Lakota or Dr. Sona Pekova — and allow an open debate," he said.
When asked about the basis for his claims, Kotlar admitted that they were grounded in intuition. "I won't tell you where they come from — it's intuition," he replied.
The Prosecutor's Office expects to issue a decision within one month regarding the findings concerning COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines, submitted by Kotlar, spokesperson of the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Trenčín Marian Sipavy confirmed on Thursday.
“An intensive investigation is ongoing in this criminal matter. The notifier (the Government Proxy) has been interviewed by the investigator, and documentary evidence necessary for a decision is being continuously gathered. A decision is expected to be issued within one month,” said Sipavy.
If Government Proxy for Investigating COVID-19 Pandemic Management Peter Kotlar refuses to do his job, he should reconsider staying in office, said the coalition Hlas-SD party in response to Kotlar's statements.
"We would appreciate it if, instead of commenting on a party that has been a solid part of the governing coalition since the beginning, he'd concentrated on his own work, with which he's been entrusted by the entire government. Several times now, Mr Kotlar has tried to make excuses for not yet submitting the actual result of the work that the government has asked of him, and he's instead been working on topics that he himself has invented and that have long been dealt with by real experts in the field," added Hlas-SD spokesperson Michaela Eliasova.
The spokesperson added that Hlas-SD is still waiting for the results of the investigation into the management of the pandemic to be handed over. "If Mr Kotlar refuses to work on this assignment, which is fully contained in the title of his post, and instead talks about some rough outlines, he should reassess for himself whether his post is necessary," she stated.
The opposition criticised Kotlar’s press conference, claiming that the coalition is trying to divert attention from the consolidation measures that are now being discussed in Parliament.
"Kotlar spoke complete nonsense. I didn't even understand what he was trying to say, and I doubt that anyone did. This clearly proves that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is wheeling out Kotlar whenever he needs to cover something up. This time it's the consolidation plans, which will impoverish people," said PS MP Oskar Dvořák.
He once again called on Kotlar to step down as government proxy because his actions pose a threat to public health.
According to another opposition MP and former health minister (2020-21) Marek Krajci ('Slovakia'-Za ludi-KU), Kotlar's statements were just a smokescreen.
“Fico's government is planning to impoverish ordinary people, sole traders, businesses and pensioners and rip them off to the tune of billions of euros next year. Amidst the rising tensions in society, Fico gave a clear order - unleash Kotlar," said Krajci, describing the government proxy's statements as dangerous.
"Giving a platform to this kind of person means giving a platform to disinformation," added Krajci.
Source: TASR
