MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Tuesday, April 22): BRATISLAVA - I will attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday (April 26), President Peter Pellegrini announced after signing the book of condolences for the Pope's death, adding that representatives of the Catholic Church will travel with him in the government aircraft. "We'll go only in a very narrowed delegation. We'll see if someone from Parliament and the government will accompany me. We'll conclude this in the next few moments," said Pellegrini, adding that he'll remember the Pope as a good man and also for the great gestures that he was able to make during his time in office. BRATISLAVA - The Internal Affairs Inspectorate (UIS) is no longer investigating the response of Prime Minister Robert Fico's security detail during the assassination attempt on him in May of last year, as the investigator has dropped criminal proceedings in relation to this, having concluded that the deed for which the proceedings were conducted did not occur, Trencin Region Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Marian Sipavy told TASR on Tuesday. The inspectorate also suspended a criminal case concerning a leaked video showing the detained assailant, Juraj C., in which he speaks about his motivations in police custody. The spokesperson added that the investigator suspended the proceedings in the case of the leaked video because it wasn't possible to establish facts that would justify a criminal prosecution against a specific person. BRATISLAVA - According to opposition politicians, the Internal Affairs Inspectorate (UIS) has failed in its investigation into a leaked video featuring detained assailant Juraj C., who shot Prime Minister Robert Fico multiple times in May 2024. The opposition SaS and 'Slovakia' parties responded in this way to media reports that UIS has suspended the investigation into the case. Shortly after the assassination attempt, a video was released in which the detained assailant in police custody expressed his disapproval with Robert Fico's politics. "We can try to believe that they are just completely incompetent. So, someone was allowed access to the attacker of this country's prime minister, filmed a video there and shared it online. In that case, the head of the incompetent inspection service Branislav Zurian, the head of the incompetent secret service (SIS) Pavol Gaspar, and incompetent [interior] minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) should immediately resign. Such toothless security services clearly can't protect anyone from anything," said MP Juraj Krupa (SaS). BRATISLAVA - The government could ask the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) to carry out a quantitative analysis of the presence of DNA and other substances in selected samples of COVID-19 vaccines, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said in a video posted on a social network on Tuesday, adding that he wants to bring such a proposal to Wednesday's (April 23) cabinet meeting. Fico also wants the government to draw attention of Slovaks to the conclusions of the expert opinion presented by Government Proxy for Investigating COVID-19 Pandemic Management Peter Kotlar. Fico met on Tuesday with director of the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL) Roman Dorcik. He wanted to consult on the further course of action on how to deal with the conclusions of the expert opinion on coronavirus vaccines submitted by Kotlar. "The expert opinion prepared by a registered expert from abroad states that the samples of vaccines used in Slovakia for vaccination against COVID-19 contained extremely high levels of DNA and substances, the presence of which the manufacturer didn't indicate in the relevant documentation," noted the prime minister. BRATISLAVA - Individuals who were unlawfully sterilised between January 1, 1966 and December 31, 2004 at medical facilities on Slovak territory could become eligible for one-off financial compensation, the Justice Ministry stated on Tuesday. The aim of the proposed law is to introduce a quick, effective and fair remedy that will include financial compensation. "This human-rights issue has been a sensitive point for decades, for which Slovakia has been facing criticism both domestically and internationally," added the ministry. As the ministry explained, there is currently no effective legal tool in Slovak legislation to remedy or alleviate the injustices suffered by individuals harmed by the reproductive health practices of the former socialist regime. BRATISLAVA - Slovak students who are applying to, have been accepted by, or are already studying at prestigious foreign universities can once again apply for the Martin Filko Scholarship, TASR has learnt from the Education Ministry's communications department. The scholarship takes the form of an interest-free loan that doesn't have to be repaid if the recipients fulfil the condition of working in public administration after graduating. "We want talented young people to return to Slovakia after finishing their studies at prestigious universities. The Martin Filko scholarship is a tool to motivate them to work for our state and bring new ideas and examples of good practice," said Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD). The ministry noted that the level of the scholarship depends on the length of the commitment to work in public administration. Students can receive €25,000 for 24 months, up to €50,000 for 36 months, and more than €50,000 if they work in public administration for at least 48 months. ko