SaS Files Complaint Over Anti-drug Campaign, Sutaj Estok Rejects Criticism

Bratislava, 18 May (TASR) - Opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) has filed a criminal complaint against Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and singer Rene Rendy with respect to the nationwide preventive campaign 'Na vlastnej kozi' (First-Hand Experience), over suspected criminal endangerment of the moral upbringing of minors. In addition, the party is calling on the minister to halt the campaign immediately. The interior minister rejected the criticism. According to Sutaj Estok, the campaign will continue, although he admitted changes to its structuring. SaS criticised the fact that a performer singing about alcohol and his fondness for it appears at an event intended to protect children from drugs. In the view of MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (SaS), this represents "an absolutely incomprehensible failure by the interior minister". She pointed out that alcohol is considered a drug in Slovakia and alcohol advertising is banned on television before 8 p.m. "We are filing a criminal complaint against Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, Rene Rendy and all Interior Ministry employees who decided to engage this performer," Bajo Holeckova said, adding that the minister indirectly admitted a mistake himself when he spoke about changes to the programme. The party also highlighted what it described as suspicious circumstances surrounding the public procurement process. According to SaS, it bears all the hallmarks of a contract prepared in advance for a specific company. Another criminal complaint therefore concerns suspected procurement manipulation, breach of duty in the administration of entrusted property and misuse of power by a public official. The opposition 'Slovakia' party also criticised the campaign, calling on the minister to end the roadshow immediately and resign from office. It also objected to the use of a person previously suspected of drug-related criminal activity and supportive of gambling and alcohol consumption for an awareness campaign among young people on the harmful effects of drugs, cyberbullying and animal abuse. In response, the interior minister stated that the impressions of students and teachers were what mattered, claiming that there is "enormous demand" from schools. He defended the campaign, saying it had been prepared by members of the national anti-drug unit, environmental police and prevention specialists. "I reject any criticism from opposition politicians who have nothing positive to say about it," Sutaj Estok said. He noted that the musical programme has been selected to attract the largest possible audience after the official part of the event. At the same time, however, he mentioned changes to the programme's structuring to avoid controversy. The Interior Ministry launched the nationwide preventive campaign 'Na vlastnej kozi' at the beginning of May. The campaign focuses on three areas — drugs, cyberbullying and animal abuse — and aims to help young people better understand the consequences of their decisions. The interactive roadshow is scheduled to visit 18 towns and cities across Slovakia during May and June. mf