Slovakia Party Convening House Committee Session over Suspended Investigators

Bratislava, October 30 (TASR) - The opposition Slovakia party intends to convene a session of the parliamentary committee for constitutional and legal matters over Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok's recent decision to suspend police investigators centered around Jan Curilla, Slovakia MP Rastislav Kratky has reported. Kratky explained that Slovakia wants to invite Sutaj Estok to the session to explain his decision, as the investigators enjoyed the status of protected whistleblowers. "Failure to do so would be grim news, a bad signal and spitting in the face of all whistleblowers who need to be protected and not have their rights violated," the MP stressed. According to Kratky, Sutaj Estok's move can be perceived as an act of retaliation. The Slovakia party is of the opinion that his decision may not have been in accordance with the law, as the minister should have acted in cooperation with the Whistleblower Protection Office. The party also warned of possible financial consequences for the state if it is proven that the move wasn't in line with the law. Sutaj Estok suspended the team of six officers last week. The minister pointed to a law that requires a police officer to be suspended from duty if he or she is suspected of committing a criminal offence. A police officer's lawyer, Peter Kubina, called the minister's order invalid, noting that such a move requires the approval of the Whistleblower Protection Office. [Curilla's team was investigating high-profile corruption cases involving Smer-SD nominees - ed.note] zel/df