Interior Minister Suspends Police Investigator Pavol D. from Duty

Bratislava, 8 May (TASR) - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has decided to suspend police investigator Pavol D. from duty by issuing a personnel order following new charges that were brought against him in March regarding the misuse of public authority and extortion, which he allegedly committed in his capacity as an investigator, TASR has learnt from the strategic communications department at the Interior Minister's Office. "Under these circumstances, the issuing of a temporary measure is directly mandated by the Act on the State Service of Police Corps Members, which applies to each and every police officer. Allowing an investigator who is reasonably suspected of serious crimes to act against other persons in his capacity as a law-enforcement authority would run contrary to the protection of public trust in the rule of law," explained the ministry, adding that the legality of criminal investigations would be at risk by leaving Pavol D. on active service. According to the ministry, the fact that Pavol D. holds the status of a protected whistleblower cannot be used to overlook the existence of reasonable suspicions regarding his criminal conduct. "In this regard, the Constitutional Court has ruled that no provision of the Whistleblower Protection Act can be interpreted as having been adopted with the aim of providing protection to those facing criminal prosecution," stated the ministry. "The same procedure is applied with respect to all police officers on active service that face charges involving an intentional crime. The temporary suspension will be limited to a period of six months as envisaged by law," added the ministry. jrg/df