Gaspar: Donor Investigation Team Has Launched One Criminal Prosecution So Far

Bratislava, March 3 (TASR) - The Donor Investigation Team, which since November of last year has been investigating suspicions of wrongdoing in connection with the donation of Slovak military equipment to Ukraine in the previous election term, has so far launched one criminal prosecution, which reportedly relates to the criminal offence of a breach of obligations in the management of property, Parliamentary Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) said on Monday following a meeting of the House committee on defence and security. Gaspar said that the committee, in accordance with its powers, had sought answers from law-enforcement bodies concerning the state of the investigations. According to him, a criminal prosecution has been initiated in one matter. "In four cases, preliminary proceedings are underway, during which it is being decided whether or not a prosecution will be carried out," noted Gaspar, adding that the team is working on a daily basis, collecting evidence, and it will provide further information about any other prosecutions. The Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) set up a special investigation team called Donor in November last year. It was prompted by a report by the National Audit Office, which in its findings stated that Slovakia had donated military property worth almost €700 million to Ukraine since the outbreak of the military conflict. The audit revealed discrepancies in data on donated assets reported by the Defence Ministry and the General Staff. It also found a discrepancy between aid agreed by the government and the value of the assets eventually donated to Ukraine. am/df