Melicher: Prosecution Decision on Fighter Jet Donation Ignores Our Arguments

Bratislava, 5 February (TASR) – The prosecution's decision to turn down criminal proceedings over the donation of fighter jets and other military equipment to Ukraine appears to signal to public and any future government that depriving the state of its property is acceptable and even in line with good morals, Deputy Defence Minister Igor Melicher stated in a video posted on social media on Thursday. Melicher said this in reaction to a press conference by Bratislava regional prosecutor Rastislav Remeta on the termination of the prosecution. "The prosecutor ignored a qualified complaint and the arguments of the ministry. Instead, it was enough for him to align himself with the statements of former minister (2020-23) Jaroslav Nad," Melicher said. While he respects the prosecution's decision, he does not agree with it. "It is based on invalid and often nonsensical conclusions," he stated. Melicher pointed in particular to the argument that Slovakia suffered no damage by donating the equipment to Ukraine. "The fighter jets and the air defence system had a value of half a billion euros at the time. Although it was older technology, it was still functional," the deputy minister argued. Melicher also considers it a mistake that the prosecution did not take into account legal obstacles to the donation, which was carried out by a caretaker government, and that it regarded confirmation from the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs as a relevant consenting opinion on the legitimacy of the donation. "Of course the ministry confirmed it, as they were part of the same governing coalition, so they were more accomplices than an impartial body," he noted. According to Melicher, the prosecutor completely overlooked the opinions of the Faculty of Law of Comenius University and the Supreme Audit Authority on the matter. He also perceives Remeta's stance as an attempt to appeal to opposition MPs and gain points in the event of a bid for the post of prosecutor-general. Law enforcement authorities have closed three of four criminal cases related to assistance to Ukraine during the previous electoral term. By terminating criminal proceedings or rejecting criminal complaints, they closed cases concerning the donation of MiG-29 fighter jets, the S-300 air defence system, and the termination of a contract with a Russian company providing servicing for the jets. Police continue to investigate the handover of technical documentation to Ukraine's military attache. mf