Disciplinary Proceedings Against SIS Head Conclude with Pay Deduction (2)

Bratislava, 5 March (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini has concluded disciplinary proceedings against Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) head Pavol Gaspar in connection with a traffic accident last year, imposing a 15-percent salary deduction for a period of one month. According to a statement made by Pellegrini on Thursday, Gaspar respects the decision and won't be lodging an appeal. "Within disciplinary proceedings, the president has the following options: the matter at hand can be resolved with a reprimand or with salary deductions of up to 15 percent of the salary for a maximum of three months. The president may also decide to impose a ban on activities or to confiscate an asset. These are roughly the limits within which the president's decision in such disciplinary proceedings may fall," explained the head of state. Pellegrini added that, regarding a request for disciplinary proceedings from the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, he saw no reason to take further action. He explained that there is no legislation prohibiting a head of the SIS from having tattoos. He considers allegations concerning leaked information to be political rhetoric. The president also responded to suspicions that Gaspar didn't list the vehicle that he was driving at the time of the accident in his property declaration. According to Pellegrini, the accident proved that Gaspar used the vehicle in 2025 and should therefore include it in his property declaration to be submitted this year for 2025, provided that he used the vehicle continuously for a certain number of days while its value exceeded the legal limit. The president also detailed the circumstances of the accident. According to the case file, Gaspar was overtaking a vehicle that had begun to turn left, at which point he exceeded the speed limit by four kilometres per hour. The president noted that the police file did not attribute blame for the accident and stated that no one was injured. As the parents of the minor travelling in the other vehicle didn't allow an expert assessment to be carried out, it's not possible to speak of any psychological harm, he added. According to the head of state, Gaspar responded appropriately throughout the disciplinary proceedings and explained the allegations in connection with the request for disciplinary proceedings by SaS. Gaspar was involved in a traffic accident on Dobsinskeho Street in Nitra on 30 August 2025, when two vehicles collided. A minor suffered light injuries in the crash. Both participants in the traffic accident underwent breathalyser tests for alcohol with negative results. The president, as an authority superior to the SIS head, launched the disciplinary proceedings in January. The opposition has long criticised Gaspar, describing the circumstances of the collision as suspicious. The opposition has called for disciplinary proceedings against the SIS head on several occasions. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 jrg/df