Kubina: Court Overturns Decision to Remove Kiss as Police Corps Vice-president/2

Bratislava, 23 July (TASR) - The Administrative Court in Bratislava on Thursday overturned the Interior Ministry's decision to dismiss former first vice-president of the Police Corps Branko Kiss and referred the case back to the ministry for further proceedings, Kiss's lawyer Peter Kubina has posted on social media. The court also ruled that his transfer from Bratislava to Banska Bystrica was unlawful, as it hadn't been explained in any way. The Interior Ministry may lodge an appeal against the judgement with the Supreme Administrative Court. However, the judgement takes effect upon delivery of the verdict, and any acceptance of the appeal for consideration may have a suspended effect. In a response for TASR, the Interior Ministry stated that it respects the court's decision. It will decide on the next procedural steps after receiving and reviewing the judgement. "Once we've received a written copy of the judgement and its reasoning, we'll examine it thoroughly and then decide on the next procedural steps. We won't comment further on the decision at this stage, therefore," said ministry spokesperson Matej Neumann. The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have also reacted to yet another court case lost by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), claiming that the "incompetent actions" of the ministry's leadership are causing chaos within the Police Corps and costing the state a considerable amount of money. KDH vice-chairman Viliam Karas emphasised that although the minister has the right to make personnel changes, he must respect the applicable legislation when doing so. If he's unable to act lawfully, he should consider stepping down. "If he can't even manage basic personnel decisions in accordance with the law, he should replace his legal advisers - if not himself," stressed Karas. Upon taking up office, Sutaj Estok suspended several police officers, including those centred around investigator Jan Curilla, defending this on the grounds of suspicions that they'd committed a criminal offence. According to the Whistleblower Protection Office, because the police officers had protected whistleblower status, the minister should have consulted the office first. At the end of October 2023, Sutaj Estok decided to abolish the posts of vice-presidents of the Police Corps and to transfer both vice-presidents to other posts. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraph 5. am/df