SaS Files Criminal Complaint Regarding Suspicious Purchase of Fire Trucks

Bratislava, 16 April (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party is filing a criminal complaint in connection with a suspicious purchase of fire trucks by the Interior Ministry, party representatives told a news conference on Thursday. According to SaS, there are serious suspicions of violations of the law, inefficient use of public funds, and a possible corruption scheme. MP Juraj Krupa (SaS) stressed that the fight against corruption is a key task of the opposition. According to him, Slovakia is paying the price for the government's mismanagement. The key findings, according to Krupa, stemmed from an MPs' survey conducted on 11 March. "We have uncovered new facts and evidence. A specific invoice is available to us, showing that a payment for the fire truck was made to a company other than the supplier. This raises serious suspicions of a breach of the law and possible incitement to fraud," he said. SaS also pointed to an overpriced purchase. "The same vehicles were purchased in the Czech Republic for a maximum of €400,000. In Slovakia, we are buying them for €580,000. The difference is huge and unexplained," said the MP. According to Krupa, the suspicions also concern the supplier itself. "The company LRK Trading hadn't filed tax returns for a long time. When it finally filed one, the reported VAT for the vehicle was some €40,000, which corresponds to the vehicle price of some €240,000. If LRK Trading is purchasing the vehicles at that price and the state is buying them for €580,000, this also requires a thorough investigation," he added. SaS expects the law enforcement authorities to take action in the case. ko/mcs