Sutaj Estok: Political Abuse of Whistleblowers Protection Office Has Ended

Bratislava, 9 December (TASR) - The office responsible for protecting whistleblowers will no longer be able to be misused to cover up for selected individuals and allow them to escape responsibility, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) stated in response to the approval of the respective bill submitted by his ministry. "Although [police officers known as] the 'Curilla group' wasn't the reason for amending the law, it is a fact that they best demonstrated how far the system could have been abused. This can't work in any state governed by the rule of law. Such loopholes are being closed, and the state is returning to clear rules that will apply equally to everyone," he emphasised. According to him, the approval of the new legislation sends a signal that the state won't grant immunity to those with connections. "From now on, protection will be granted to those who deserve it, not to those who want to hide from the consequences of their actions," stressed Sutaj Estok. The Whistleblowers Protection Office will be transformed into a new Crime Victims and Whistleblowers Protection Office, MPs decided in a vote on Tuesday, approving the Interior Ministry's bill debated via a fast-tracked legislative procedure. In addition to handling the agenda of whistleblowers reporting criminal activity, the new institution will also take over the agenda for compensating the victims of crime from the Justice Ministry. The new legislation is set to enter into force on 1 January 2026. The opposition criticised the law, citing the elimination of an independent authority and conflicts with the Constitution and European law. It announced that it will file a motion with the Constitutional Court. Non-governmental organisations have also joined in the criticism, calling on President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill. The head of state announced that he'll thoroughly review the approved wording of the bill and make a decision within the constitutional deadline. am