UIS: Our Operation Has Nothing to Do with Stances of Politicians

Bratislava, 3 March (TASR) - The Internal Affairs Inspectorate (UIS) has rejected statements published in the media regarding 'Operation Cooperating Defendant', which UIS conducted on Tuesday, stressing that members of its Veritas team had been preparing for it for several weeks or even months, UIS spokesperson Andrea Dobiasova has told TASR. Dobiasova added that such a large-scale operation was the result of thorough and meticulous work that cannot be carried out within a few weeks, let alone days. She recalled that an investigator from the Veritas team initiated criminal proceedings on 15 May 2025, while charges were brought on 3 March. "The resolution to bring charges is 133 pages long, and the investigator worked on it for several weeks. The resolution covers ten specific counts involving seven people: four current police officers, two former police officers, and one civilian, charged with serious crimes of extortion and abuse of power by a public official," she said. According to Dobiasova, R. M., R. S. and M. S. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons] have been charged with abuse of power by a public official, while J. C., P. D., B. D. and J. K. face the same charge plus extortion. She added that procedural actions are currently under way and that the accused and suspects are being questioned. Subsequently, the UIS investigator will decide on further steps, such as whether a motion to remand in custody will be filed. "As soon as the procedural situation allows, we'll provide more detailed information regarding the case," said Dobiasova. UIS conducted 'Operation Cooperating Defendant' on Tuesday, detaining and charging four current and two former police officers, plus one civilian, with extortion and abuse of power by a public official, allegedly committed in an organised manner. In addition to those charged, two other suspects have been detained as well. The operation took place across Bratislava, Nitra and Banska Bystrica regions. Several opposition representatives have criticised the police operation, as the detentions took place only two days after Prime Minister Robert Fico, House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (both Smer-SD) and the Prime Minister's advisor Marek Para held a press conference during which they lambasted the work of the law-enforcement authorities between 2020 and 2023. According to the opposition, the operation was carried out at political behest and out of revenge, as the detained included investigators involved in the Purgatory Case, in connection with which Gaspar is facing charges. jrg/df