SaS Files Criminal Complaint Over Premier's Private Flights to Adriatic

Bratislava, 5 November (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party is filing a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor-General's (PG) Office in connection with Premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) private flights to the Adriatic coast, the party's communications department has informed TASR. SaS wants the premier to explain who's financing these trips and how they are being paid for. SaS is also preparing motions for the Austrian authorities, claiming that the aircraft used by Fico is registered in Austria. SaS leader Branislav Groehling pointed to a discrepancy between the premier's calls for austerity cuts and his own lifestyle. "The problem isn't that the premier goes on holiday, the problem is that we don't know who's financing these trips or who paid for the flights to the Adriatic. We've documented eight flights, with each estimated to have cost between €10,000-€15,000. That puts the total cost of the eight flights at more than €100,000. On the one hand, Fico's government is harassing the self-employed and businesses over minor errors in tax documents, while on the other, the public has no information about how the premier is financing his trips," stated Groehling. On Saturday (31 October), Fico commented on his use of private air transport services, stating that he has official sources for this. He pointed out that he is 62 years old and has earned an above-average income throughout his life. "If my schedule and state of health so require, and I'm unable to use the resources associated with my role as prime minister for this purpose, I also use the services of private air carriers and my own private funds," he stated in a video posted on social media, adding that he'll continue to conduct himself in a way that will represent Slovakia with dignity as the third-most senior constitutional official. ko/df