Remisova: Criminal Code Bill Fails to Address Tax Fraud

Bratislava, 20 November (TASR) – Opposition MP and leader of 'For the People' Veronika Remisova considers the amendment to the Criminal Code approved by the government on Wednesday (19 November) to be poorly drafted, arguing that it fails to tighten up the penalties for tax fraud. Because of this, Remisova stated at a press conference on Thursday that she intends to submit an amendment in Parliament to address the issue. "Only recently, the head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office warned that Slovakia has become the European centre for tax fraud, with as many as one third of all fraud cases in the EU linked to Slovakia. This costs the country at least half a billion euros, money that should go into the state budget but instead ends up in the pockets of fraudsters. The governing coalition bears full responsibility because after the mafia-style amendment to the Criminal Code, tax fraud of up to €20,000 ceased to be a criminal offence and the police often no longer even investigate such cases," she stated. Remisova also regards the amendment addressing petty theft as an admission of failure by the entire coalition, which acted only after widespread alarm was raised about rising crime. "Moreover, it's unacceptable that the government is once again making changes via fast-track legislative procedures without involving experts. The result will once again be chaos, which they will then have to fix for the tenth time," added Remisova. The government on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Criminal Code. The 'three strikes' rule is to be reintroduced for petty theft. Repeat offenders committing their third offence within a year would face criminal charges regardless of the value of the stolen goods, with a penalty of up to two years in prison. The government has proposed that Parliament should approve the amendment via a fast-track procedure. Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD) also said that the adjustment concerning petty theft is only the first step in addressing the rise in minor crime. He announced further measures, including changes to municipal services and social benefits. mf/df