Monitor: President: Gaspar to Respond in Disciplinary Proceedings within 15 Days

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 1 February) Director of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) Pavol Gaspar has been given a 15-day deadline to submit a statement in connection with disciplinary proceedings, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday. "I asked him to submit, within 15 days, his statement not only on this file, but also on the motion which the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party filed with the Presidential Palace in connection with his tattoo, as well as whether or not these vehicles are registered among his assets," he said. Pellegrini added that he was surprised by the substantial size of the case file related to the traffic accident that occurred at the end of August last year on Dobsinska Street in Nitra [for which Gaspar is facing disciplinary proceedings initiated by Pellegrini - ed. note]. The Slovak head of state added that Gaspar, as SIS director, falls under the president's authority, but if he were an ordinary police officer or a state employee, standard procedure for handling misdemeanours would be applied. According to expert assessments, stated Pellegrini, the speed limit was exceeded by four kilometres per hour, and there are also questions whether Gaspar could legally overtake a stationary obstacle on that section of the road. According to Pellegrini, his decision will be based strictly on evidence. If Gaspar breached traffic regulations, he cannot be above the law. "Therefore it's my duty to act and draw consequences, possibly by applying a sanction," said Pellegrini, adding that he plans to announce his decision publicly, in the presence of the media. jrg