Interior Ministry Rejects Appeal over Presidential Campaign Interference

Bratislava, 21 May (TASR) - The Interior Ministry has rejected the prosecutor's appeal in the case concerning alleged interference in the presidential election campaign by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), TASR has learnt from ministry's spokesperson Matej Neumann. "The social media posts from 24 and 25 March 2024 were shares of recordings from a discussion programme broadcast on TA3 television channel, which was aired in accordance with the law. Such activity can't and doesn't constitute active support for or against a presidential candidate, as it's based on content obtained legally. Moreover, the public administration section of the Interior Ministry found no indication that the shared recordings included any new personal commentary that had not already been mentioned," said Neumann. The ministry claimed that the prosecutor in the appeal is merely expressing his opinion on why he believes the arguments of the authority aren't sufficient. In the past, Bratislava District Office decided that Sutaj Estok hadn't violated the law by having a paid ad posted on social media shortly before the presidential election, which presented one of the candidates in a bad light. Bratislava I District Prosecutor's Office filed a complaint in December, which was rejected by the District Office. Therefore, the prosecutor appealed to the superior body, which is the Interior Ministry. lin