Spisiak: Sutaj Estok's Personnel Changes Have Interfered with Investigations

Bratislava, January 2 (TASR) - Progressive Slovakia (PS) MP and ex-police chief Jaroslav Spisiak has reproached Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) for what he sees as the aggressive manner in which he's carried out personnel changes in the police. Spisiak voiced his concerns that these changes could lead to an "escape route" for prosecuted and convicted individuals who are affiliated to the current and previous governments of Robert Fico. According to the former police chief, there has been a schism within the police, and Sutaj Estok's changes have directly interfered with the investigation process. At the same time, Spisiak opined that the fact the government manifesto states that the National Crime Agency (NAKA) will be deployed to deal with "complicated cases outside the scope of the most serious crimes" clearly indicates the future of this elite unit. Spisiak went on to say that the government has been misusing the topic of irregular migration to cover actual problems of internal security. In his opinion, the activities of extremist groups and individuals, which may even exhibit elements of terrorism, are the greatest potential threat. The manifesto contains overly vague proposals to deal with such threats, however, stated Spisiak. zel/df