MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Wednesday, 9 July 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Tuesday, 8 July): BRATISLAVA/BANSKA BYSTRICA – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has forgiven Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], the man who seriously injured him by shooting him in Handlova on 15 May 2024, Fico's legal representative and adviser David Lindtner stated during the opening day of the trial at the Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica on Tuesday. "The defendant is both a victim and the product of an aggressive media campaign, propaganda and false narratives spread by the progressive political opposition. That's why the root causes of this act and the defendant’s radicalisation must be sought elsewhere. The media have significantly contributed to the current tense atmosphere in society," claimed Lindtner. Juraj C., a pensioner, is charged with the aggravated crime of a terrorist attack committed against a protected public official and faces a potential life sentence. His defence attorney, Namir Alyasry, acknowledged that the shooting occurred and that the defendant has confessed to committing it, so putting him on trial is justified. However, he rejected the terrorism charge - arguing that not every attack on a public official constitutes terrorism. According to the defence, Juraj C. acted out of personal anger towards Fico, not towards the government as a whole. He's even expressed sympathy for ministers Denisa Sakova, Erik Tomas (both Voice-SD), and Jozef Raz (nominated by Smer-SD). His intention, the attorney claimed, was to injure Fico so that Fico could no longer serve as prime minister — but not to kill him. To that end, Alyasry underlined, Juraj C. deliberately aimed at Fico's legs. Lindtner countered that the legal classification of terrorism is appropriate, emphasising that the attack was not just directed at one individual but at the constitutional order, which the prime minister represents. He added that Fico is not expected to be summoned as a witness. The prosecutor has not requested his personal testimony. ZILINA/BRATISLAVA – Zilina region has voiced its strong disapproval of the government's decision to freeze €200 million allocated for regional development. During its session on Monday (7 July), the regional council called on the Slovak government to revoke the resolution adopted on 18 June, according to the region's spokesperson Eva Lacova. "Zilina Self-Governing Region fundamentally disagrees with the government's decision to withhold €200 million designated for Integrated Regional Investment projects, especially without any prior consultation with regional authorities," said Zilina region governor Erika Jurinova. She warned that the move threatens the continuity of project planning and undermines trust between regions and the state. "Our regions need stable rules and predictability — not additional interventions that cast doubt on long-term agreements. If we want EU funds to be used effectively, the state must honour the partnerships that it claims to uphold," Jurinova emphasised. The governor added that implementing EU funds depends on a stable system, which has been disrupted by frequent methodological changes and delays in state-issued calls for proposals. Despite these challenges, as of 30 June 2025, Zilina region had approved 104 projects totaling €88.6 million and submitted 53 applications for non-repayable financial contributions worth nearly €59 million. BRATISLAVA - The Justice Ministry has confirmed that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has informed the state about two complaints in the "Lucansky vs Slovak Republic" case, TASR was told by Dalibor Skladan from the Justice Ministry's press department. The ECHR has officially notified the case and asked the questions it will review in the case. The complaints are related to the detention conditions, alleged ill-treatment and circumstances surrounding the death of former Slovak police chief (2018-20) Milan Lucansky. The complaints were filed by his son and MP Adam Lucansky (Slovak National Party/SNS). Milan Lucansky died on 30 December 2020, after attempting suicide on December 29 while in custody at a Presov detention facility where he was being held before a trial for corruption-related charges. The Prosecutor-General's Office announced in July of last year that its investigation had found no evidence of unlawful, intentional or negligent conduct by members of the Prison and Judicial Guard Corps in connection with Lucansky's death. BRATISLAVA - A total of 38 emergencies have been declared in the east of Slovakia after the severe storms on Monday (7 July), spokesman for the Interior Ministry Matej Neumann told TASR on Tuesday, adding that flood activity level II has been declared in three areas and flood activity level III in one area. "Employees of the crisis management departments of the respective district offices are in the field at the moment, communicating with mayors and guiding them in the management of the clear-up work. Tarpaulins from civil protection warehouses have been allocated for Gelnica district [Kosice region] for buildings and dwellings whose roofs have been damaged by the wind. If necessary, additional material will be provided," added the ministry. mf