Rasi: Voice-SD Stands Behind Its Leader, Judge's Actions Raise Questions (2)

Bratislava, 13 November (TASR) – The coalition Voice-SD party stands firmly behind its leader, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, said party vice-chair and House Chair Richard Rasi on Thursday regarding a default verdict in the lawsuit between Sutaj Estok and a group of police officers centered around Jan Curilla. Rasi said that the judge's actions raise many questions, arguing that there was no reason for the judge to communicate exclusively via email. He also announced that Voice-SD will propose a legislative amendment to prevent court decisions from being issued without both parties being heard. "We in Voice-SD don't question the judicial system in Slovakia. However, we are questioning the conduct of this specific judge, which raises many doubts and may suggest political motivation — something that should have no place in our judicial system. There is no logical reason why this procedure, which didn't have to be used, was chosen," said Rasi. Rasi said that he can't understand why the judge communicated only via email, especially in a case involving such a large amount of compensation. He noted that there were several other ways to contact the minister. "So, we're asking why this procedure — which can be used but doesn't have to be — was applied here, and who will answer for that? Especially in such a sensitive and high-profile case," he remarked, adding that this method is meant for specific cases of people avoiding legal proceedings, "not for fighting a political opponent". According to Rasi, the court's verdict revealed a gap in legislation. He pointed out that, according to media reports, more than 26,000 people have faced the same type of ruling under similar circumstances. He therefore announced that Voice-SD intends to initiate a legislative amendment. "Voice will bring forward a bill to prevent decisions being issued without the other side being heard — so that no one can be quietly sentenced without the chance to defend themselves," he added. Interior Minister Sutaj Estok has lost a lawsuit against the group of police officers known as the 'Curilla team' and must publicly apologise for comparing them to convicted crime boss and multiple murderer Mikulas Cernak. In addition, he'll have to pay six police officers a total of €90,000 in compensation, as well as court costs and interest on late payment. The police officers' lawyer Peter Kubina explained on social media that Sutaj Estok lost the case by default because he failed to respond to his electronic mail. As a result, the minister is currently subject to distraint proceedings, and a court distraint official has frozen funds in his account to cover the compensation. Sutaj Estok responded by saying that he stands by his words, stating that due to his heavy workload he rarely uses the public administration online platform. He claimed that the court ignored his arguments, and he criticised the judge for not attempting to contact him in another way. Prime Minister and Smer-SD leader Robert Fico has offered him legal assistance in the matter, while the opposition has criticised the minister. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final three paragraphs mf/df