President Appoints Three Generals, Including Branislav Zurian

Bratislava, April 25 (TASR) - Slovak President Peter Pellegrini appointed Internal Affairs Inspectorate head Branislav Zurian, Prison and Judicial Guard Corps head Lubomir Klistinec and Justice Ministry State Secretary Michal Sedliak to the rank of general at the Presidential Palace on Friday in line with the government's proposal. According to Pellegrini, their appointments are a challenge to build trust in the institutions that they represent. "Their authority is particularly important today, when our society is marked by uncertainty, negative emotions and huge polarisation," he stated. According to the president, serving the state isn't just about carrying out a profession. "Your work must be your true calling, not limited to working hours, but an integral part of your life. It requires dedication and constant readiness to fulfil your duties, serve Slovakia and its people, and also to subordinate all other interests to this," stated Pellegrini. The government proposed Zurian for the rank of general on September 18, 2024, and Sedliak and Klištinec on June 26, 2024. [The Internal Affairs Inspectorate came under criticism earlier this week after dropping criminal proceedings relating to the response of Prime Minister Robert Fico's security detail during the assassination attempt on him in May of last year. 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. ed. note] lin/df