Jan Figel Says He Didn't Request Security Detail

Bratislava, May 20 (TASR) - I didn't ask to be assigned a security detail, EU's Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief Outside the EU Jan Figel said in response to the information from the parliamentary defence and security committee, where they said that he also asked for a security detail, with the MPs addressing the topic because they dealt with former-premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) security detail. "On my own initiative I informed Interior Minister Denisa Sakova [Smer-SD] on May 7 about the current situation around Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi, who arrived in Canada on that day. With regard to the seriousness of the events around her case, I considered such provision of information to be a responsible and preventive action. I didn't request protection," stated Figel. Figel went on to say that Sakova arranged a direct contact with the Office for Protection of Constitutional Officials and Diplomatic Missions. "I explained my findings directly to the leaders of the office on May 13. It's up to the competent authorities to monitor and evaluate the security situation and risks, and take necessary measures in time in the context of international terrorism," added Figel. The former chairman of the Christian Democrats (KDH) also says that he repeatedly came to the attention of militant extremist groups given his international activities since 2016 and the work on sensitive cases of persecuted persons in the complicated circumstances of some countries. am/mcs