Slovakia faces political turmoil amid alleged coup plot
Slovakia plans to expel a Ukrainian from the country, as the authorities claim he was involved in a planned coup in Slovakia. "This is a fictional character," says opposition MP Juraj Krúpa. Other representatives of opposition groups express similar sentiments.
For several weeks, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has alleged that a coup is being prepared in Slovakia—a second Maidan, involving foreign experts with experience from Georgia and Ukraine.
These experts are supposedly responsible for organizing mass street protests and, consequently, demands for the prime minister's resignation.
On January 21, during a session of the Slovak parliament, the opposition submitted a motion of no confidence against Fico's government. However, the voting on this matter did not take place. At the request of the prime minister, the session was classified. He claimed to have a confidential report concerning an alleged conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the government in Slovakia.
On Thursday, another development occurred. The new police chief, Jana Maškarová, announced that one person was detained in connection with a secret intelligence report regarding the preparations for a coup in Slovakia. She added that the person is Ukrainian and will be deported from the country.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok stated that this person poses a security threat, but he did not specify what exactly the threat was.
When asked whether only one person was involved in the planned coup, Maškarová replied that "she cannot provide more detailed information." She also did not specify when the Ukrainian would be expelled or whether he was wanted under an international arrest warrant.
Even a member of the ruling party has doubts
The chairman of the defense and security committee, Smer MP Richard Glück, stated that he is also waiting for more information. "I agree that one person alone could not have done this," he replied when asked whether he believes one person can conduct a coup (Smer is Fico's group, part of the current ruling coalition).
Journalists also asked MP Glück whether deportation is a sufficient punishment for involvement in a coup. "The greatest punishment for him is being sent home, as I assume he will be detained and sent to the military," Glück stated.
Opposition MP Juraj Krúpa (SaS) believes the information about the expulsion could be fabricated. "Just as the information about the Maidan preparations was fabricated, so can the information about the person who is to be deported be fabricated, regardless of whether he was involved in anything," he stated.
Ukraine on the detained in Slovakia
The Ukrainian agency Interfax reports on the Ukrainian detained in Slovakia. His identity is unknown, but the agency, citing the Ukrainian Ministry of Diplomacy, indicates that he is a citizen of Ukraine born in 1966.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, necessary support is already being provided to him by the Ukrainian consulate, and the man is also benefiting from the services of a lawyer.
"We insist that the Slovak side respects the rights and interests of the Ukrainian citizen. The Embassy of Ukraine in Slovakia has already contacted relevant Slovak authorities to clarify the reasons for the detention," reads the ministry's position, quoted by the Interfax agency.
Protests in Slovakia continue
On Friday, in several cities across Slovakia, demonstrators will once again march under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe!" There will be a large demonstration in Banská Bystrica for the fourth time, as well as in Trnava and Lučenec.
In a week—February 7—protesters will meet in Bratislava and other cities.
Source: aktuality.sk, noviny.sk, interfax.com.ua
