Opposition Representatives Criticise Efforts to Detain Jaroslav Nad

Bratislava, June 18 (TASR) - Opposition representatives on Wednesday criticised police efforts to detain extra-parliamentary 'Democrats' party leader and former defence minister Jaroslav Nad. Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka views the efforts to "detain Nad in a demonstrative manner" as a political game and an attempt at revenge. "There were many things that the previous government could be criticised for, but foreign and defence policies aren't among them," stated PS vice-chair Tomas Valasek. He opined that when Ukraine became a victim of Russian aggression, the government acted correctly - morally and in the interests of Slovakia's security. According to Simecka, providing aid to Ukraine is also beneficial for Slovakia. MP Jaroslav Krupa (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) called the police action amateurish, as Nad has been abroad for several days, which he publicly announced via social media. At the same time, Krupa did not deny that suspicions regarding donations of materials to Ukraine may exist and that they need to be investigated. According to him, the coalition is "irritated" by the fact that the police cannot prosecute the Defence Ministry's former leadership for donating the S-300 air defence system to Ukraine. "So, they found something that they think could be interesting. I'm personally convinced that this will come to nothing, it will drag on for many years and it will just be about throwing dirt at opponents," stated Krupa. The Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) is carrying out several raids throughout Slovakia in connection with the Donor (Darca) team on Wednesday. A criminal investigation into the case was initiated by a prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). A special investigation team called 'Donor' was formed at UBOK in November 2024. Its formation was instigated by a Supreme Audit Office (NKU) report concerning donations of military equipment to Ukraine and discrepancies in the data on the donated property. Then defence minister Jaroslav Nad, who is currently the chairman of 'Democrats' party, has denied any accusation of wrongdoing. He's currently visiting Canada, and his party has announced a press conference for Wednesday afternoon. ko/df