Opposition Criticises SIS Due to Marchevsky Case, Demands Gaspar's Resignation

Bratislava, 18 December (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia' and Progressive Slovakia (PS) parties have criticised the leadership of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) in connection with the Artem Marchevsky case, demanding the resignation of SIS head Pavol Gaspar. It was Slovak Dennik N daily and Czech Denik N dailies that broke the news first. According to the journalists' findings, in 2024, SIS betrayed the trust of the Czech secret service when the Slovak authorities granted alleged Russian agent Marchevsky temporary asylum status, despite the fact that the SIS leadership had promised support to the Czech side. "The latest media reports on the Artem Marchevsky case raise serious suspicions that the SIS leadership may have acted contrary to the security interests of Slovakia and its allies," said MP Zuzana Stevulova (PS). The party also called on President Peter Pellegrini to take action in relation to the SIS leadership. Ex-interior minister and MP Roman Mikulec ('Slovakia'-'For the People') considers Pavol Gaspar's continued tenure to be unacceptable. "This is an absolute failure on the part of Pavol Gaspar, and it isn't the first time. President Pellegrini should act immediately in this case as well and dismiss this person from the post of SIS director because he poses a direct threat to Slovakia's security and is damaging its good name abroad," he said. am/df