Police Launch New Criminal Prosecution Over Simeckova's Civic Association

Bratislava, 22 March (TASR) - Police have launched new criminal proceedings with respect to the civic association Projekt Forum, led by Marta Simeckova, over suspected subsidy fraud, the Police Corps Presidium told TASR on Sunday. The Sme daily was the first to report the news, saying that Simeckova will also have to explain suspicions related to subsidies from 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022. "A National Unit investigator of the Office for the Fight against Organised Crime of the Police Corps Presidium initiated criminal proceedings on 16 March 2026 over suspicion of subsidy fraud. As this is an ongoing investigation, which is confidential by law, no further details can be provided at this stage," said police spokesman Roman Hajek. Simeckova told Sme she had not previously been aware of the new proceedings. She said she is available to the investigator and ready to provide all documents proving she did not enrich herself in any way. The results of a government audit into the use of public subsidies also identified shortcomings in the civic association Projekt Forum, where Marta Simeckova — mother of Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka — serves as statutory representative. Projekt Forum Bratislava recorded six serious financial irregularities amounting to €133,844.60. The audit was also discussed in Parliament. MP Michal Simecka did not dispute the findings but described the process as non-standard, arguing that accounting issues should be handled by competent authorities rather than Parliament and the government. The Progressive Slovakia leader added that the current government is attempting to cover up its own incompetence and corruption by attacking his family. mf