Kalinak Will Pay Fine for Villa, But Wants Constitutional Court Opinion

Bratislava, 12 June (TASR) - Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) will pay a fine if the parliamentary conflict of interests committee decides to impose one on him for his failure to include the possession of his wife's villa in Croatia in his property declaration, Kalinak himself told journalists during a meeting of the committee on Thursday. However, he wants the case to be examined by the Constitutional Court first. He doesn't plan to resign from his post if the court confirms that he's violated the law. He sees no reason for that, as the punishment would be to pay the fine. Kalinak conceded that he failed to carry out an obligation. He argued that he wanted to protect his family's privacy, that his incomes fully cover the value of the real estate and that his family were able to afford it with regards to his long-term business activities. "I'll pay the respective fine, but I'll ask the court for an opinion in this case," he said. The committee on Thursday dealt with several motions filed against Kalinak in connection with the ownership of the house in Croatia, which he failed to include in his property declarations. ko/df