Police Assess Security After Foiled Arson Attack, Opposition Criticises Gov't

Bratislava, 26 August (TASR) - The police are continuously assessing the security situation, cooperating with other security forces, and, where necessary, taking appropriate measures in response to the current situation, spokesperson for the Police Corps Presidium Roman Hajek told TASR on Wednesday regarding a foiled arson attack on a company manufacturing drones. The opposition has described the incident as a major security breach. Michal Simecka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party (PS), has called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and President Peter Pellegrini to inform the public whether measures are being taken to protect buildings. "At the same time, in this situation it is absolutely untenable for Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) to remain as interior minister — a man who wanted to inundate Slovakia with Russian cameras live-streaming directly to the Kremlin. I thank all the professionals in Slovakia's security forces who, despite this incompetent government, have remained in service, and it's only thanks to their work that an impending tragedy was averted," stated Simecka. Former defence minister (2020-23) and leader of the extra-parliamentary Democrats party Jaroslav Nad believes that Slovakia could have faced an attack similar to what took place in Vrbetice in the Czech Republic. "Based on my experience, I'm convinced that it wasn't the police but Military Intelligence that obtained crucial information that led to this planned, apparently terrorist, attack, which could have resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, being foiled," said Nad, who underlined that the most important thing was that the attack did not ultimately take place. He has no doubt that it was commissioned from abroad. According to the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), the government mustn't underestimate security threats or tolerate radicalisation. "This incident shows us in stark terms where the current government's double standards lead. On the one hand, it agrees to the export of technologies, while on the other, government politicians play down security risks with their rhetoric and turn a blind eye to radicals spreading disinformation. I'm asking whether the coalition will finally wake up," said KDH leader Milan Majersky. It was reported on Tuesday that members of the Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) had foiled a planned arson attack on a drone manufacturing plant in eastern Slovakia,. The target was reportedly a facility producing unmanned systems. An investigator has charged three foreign nationals with preparing an aggravated crime of general endangerment, allegedly committed as co-perpetrators on commission. Two of the suspects were detained in Slovakia, and the investigator has submitted a motion for them to be remanded in custody. The third was detained by German authorities under a European Arrest Warrant. mf/df