MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, April 21, 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, April 20): BANSKA BYSTRICA - This year's Gathering of Generations, held annually in the burned-down village of Kaliste near Banska Bystrica, will last two days, TASR learnt from deputy director of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Museum Dalibor Lesnik on Sunday. Aiming to make the younger generation in particular more familiar with the event, the museum decided to dedicate the first day mainly to school groups. Therefore, the event, called Gathering of Generations, was moved in 2024 from August — the month when SNP celebrations are held— to early summer. “In June, when the school year is coming to an end, we’re able to bring various school groups to the event,” explained director of the SNP Museum Marian Uhrin. The mountain village of Kaliste was burned down by German forces on March 18, 1945 — this year marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic event. “We are preparing an engaging program, which will include survivors, military history clubs, culture, and guided tours aimed at bringing the history of WW2 closer to the younger generation. This year, the Gathering of Generations will truly take on the meaning of its name. Our goal is for a grandfather, father, son, and grandson to come together at this place of tragedy on those particular days,” Lesnik explained, adding that witnesses of WW2 and descendants of former Kaliste residents— who found a new home in the Nove Kaliste district of Banska Bystrica after the war — will be invited as well. During the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), the mountain village of Kaliste was one of the centers of the so-called Partisan Republic in the Low Tatras. After the insurgents switched to guerrilla warfare, Kaliste remained an important resistance hub. On the early morning of March 18, 1945, Nazi units surrounded and raided the village, burning down 42 houses and murdering 14 residents on the spot. A few days later, Kaliste was liberated by Romanian and Red Army soldiers. Of the 42 houses in Kaliste, only six remained after the Nazi attack. The village ceased to exist and life never returned there. Today, only the foundations of the destroyed and burned houses remain, along with a cemetery, two reconstructed houses with a chapel, and graves of the victims. The area of Kaliste, which has been a national cultural monument since 1961, is administered by the SNP Museum. BRATISLAVA - The prosecutor of the Prosecutor-General’s Office is taking action and proceeding in a lawful manner in the case of the accused Daniel B. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], TASR was told by Prosecutor-General's spokesperson Jana Tokolyova on Sunday. The spokesperson responded this way to Saturday's (April 19) statements made by the Government Office on the case. In addition, the Prosecutor-General considers it inappropriate for the Government Office to assess actions of the prosecutor in the matter, which is still to be decided by the Supreme Court. On Saturday (April 19), the Government Office stated that it's important to monitor the case of Daniel B., accused of extremist criminal activity, as the final decision on his guilt or innocence will significantly influence the interpretation of the freedom of expression and its boundaries. At the same time, the Government Office criticized the investigator and the prosecutor, claiming that their "activism" raises a certain "surprise and doubts." The Government Office responded this way to Saturday's decision by a judge not to take the defendant into custody. The decision is not final, as the prosecutor has filed an appeal. The Supreme Court will have a final say in the matter on April 29. BRATISLAVA - Police, in response to the statement of the Government Office regarding the case of the accused Daniel B. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], declare that they are carrying out tasks assigned to them by laws, the Constitution, and international treaties, the press department of the Police Corps Presidium told TASR on Sunday. The police also emphasized that they do not comment on statements by other state authorities. On Saturday (April 19), the Government Office stated that it's important to monitor the case of Daniel B., accused of extremist criminal activity, as the final decision on his guilt or innocence will significantly influence the interpretation of the freedom of expression and its boundaries. At the same time, the Government Office criticized the investigator and the prosecutor, claiming that their "activism" raises a certain "surprise and doubts." The Government Office responded this way to Saturday's decision by a judge not to take the defendant into custody. The decision is not final, as the prosecutor has filed an appeal. The Supreme Court will have a final say in the matter on April 29. BRATISLAVA - State-owned rail-infrastructure operator ZSR managed to make a profit after taxation of €8.8 million last year, TASR has learnt from ZSR's financial statements published in the Register of Financial Statements. Compared to 2023, ZSR's revenues increased, but so did its expenditures, especially in terms of personnel costs. Revenues from operating activities amounted to €775.9 million last year, going up by almost €55 million on a year-on-year basis. ZSR's total revenues last year stood at €199.6 million. Operating costs amounted to €765.7 million last year. When compared to 2023, they grew by €53 million. This was mainly due to increased personnel costs, which amounted to €376 million last year. ZSR's investment costs in 2024 stood at €406 million, of which €391 million was spent on modernisation, reconstruction and construction of railway infrastructure. mf