SaS Calls for Secret Service Head’s Dismissal over Breach of Confidentiality (2)

Bratislava, 4 September (TASR) – Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party is calling for the dismissal of the head of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) Pavol Gaspar, accusing him of a breach of confidentiality, MP Maria Kolikova (SaS) announced at a press conference on Thursday. SaS plans to submit a resolution in Parliament that, if passed, would urge Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and President Peter Pellegrini to assume political responsibility and take action against Gaspar. Kolikova also wants to initiate a special emergency session of the House Committee Supervising SIS Activities. „We will demand that the government, the Prime Minister, and the President take political responsibility for the head of the Slovak Information Service. He should not have been appointed in the first place, and now he must be removed from office as soon as possible," Kolikova stated. According to Kolikova, Gaspar allegedly broke the law by providing information to his father, Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD), who faces criminal charges and also serves as a vice-chair of Parliament. She claimed Tibor Gaspar confirmed on a TV programme that he had received information from his son, which he could not disclose due to legal restrictions, but which will be discussed by the committee. This, Kolikova argued, shows that the SIS head is not respecting the law. „One of the key principles the SIS director must uphold — alongside respecting laws and the Constitution — is that confidentiality must be sacred. He cannot provide sensitive information to individuals under criminal investigation, particularly for organised crime and corruption. The fact that he is sharing it with his father creates the impression that the Gaspar clan is running the Slovak Information Service,” Kolikova asserted. The House Conflict of Interest Committee is also expected to examine the SIS director’s conduct. Opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) has filed a motion for the committee to investigate potential violations related to Gaspar’s car. „The SIS chief should be a model of restraint and professionalism. He should not be flaunting sports cars, mafia-style tattoos, or arrogant behaviour. Most importantly, he must respect the spirit of the law,” stated MP Zuzana Stevulova (PS). Over the weekend, Gaspar was involved in a car accident in Nitra involving two vehicles. A minor sustained light injuries. Both drivers tested negative for alcohol, and police are investigating the incident. Opposition parties have already called on Gaspar to resign, claiming he failed to declare his crashed Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in his property disclosure, lacks the qualifications for the role, and drives recklessly. mf/mcs