Sutaj Estok Calls for Stopping Spread of Hatred Following Attack at School

Bratislava/Spisska Stara Ves, JAnuary 16 (TASR) - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) called for an end to the spread of hatred in connection with Thursday's attack at the secondary grammar school in Spisska Stara Ves (Presov region), he announced at a press conference. "Now, not as a minister, but as a politician and also as a father of two children, I would like to ask everyone not to add fuel to the fire, to calm the situation down. I also want to call on all politicians, who already have guaranteed versions of what the motive of the perpetrator was, whether from one side or the other, to stop as soon as possible. I believe that in this nationwide tragedy, it's high time to pause for a moment, reflect, and stop spreading hatred," stated the minister. He confirmed that the incident is under investigation and praised the actions of the police and law enforcement agencies. He also declared that, as a minister, he would do everything to protect children, parents, and educators, and to eliminate similar cases in the future. The victims of Thursday's attack at the secondary grammar school in Spisska Stara Ves are two women, aged 18 and 51. One seriously injured 18-year-old woman was taken to hospital in Poprad (Presov region). The police have already arrested an 18-year-old student suspected of committing the serious crime. According to the police, there is currently no immediate threat. The case is being handled by the the Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK). lin/mcs