Slovakia's political turmoil: Expulsion of Ukrainian amid coup claims
Slovakia plans to expel a Ukrainian citizen from the country. According to the authorities, he was involved in a planned coup d'état in Slovakia. "He is a fictional character," says opposition MP Juraj Krupa. Other representatives of opposition groups have expressed themselves in a similar manner.
For several weeks, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been claiming that a coup d'état is being prepared in Slovakia—a second Maidan allegedly organized by foreign experts with experience from Georgia and Ukraine.
These experts are purportedly responsible for organizing mass street protests, which would, as a consequence, lead to demands for the resignation of the prime minister.
On January 21st, during a session of the Slovak Parliament, the opposition filed a motion of no confidence against Fico's government. However, the vote on this matter did not occur. At the prime minister's request, the session was held privately. He stated that he had a confidential report concerning an alleged plot to overthrow the government in Slovakia.
On Thursday, another significant development occurred. The new police chief, Jana Maškarová, announced that, in connection with a secret intelligence report regarding preparations for a coup in Slovakia, one person was detained. She added that this individual is Ukrainian and will be deported from the country.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Matúš Šutaj Eštok, stated that this person poses a security threat, although he did not specify what exactly this threat entails.
When asked whether only one person was involved in the planned coup, Maškarová replied that she "cannot provide further information". She also did not specify when the Ukrainian will be deported or whether he was wanted on an international arrest warrant.
Even an MP from the ruling party has doubts
The chairman of the defense and security committee, Smer MP Richard Glück, stated that he is also waiting for more information. "I agree that one person could hardly have done this alone," he replied when asked whether he believes one person can carry out a coup d'état. (Smer is Fico's party, which is part of the currently ruling coalition—editor's note.)
Journalists also asked MP Glück whether deportation is a sufficient punishment in the case of a coup d'état. "The greatest punishment for him is being sent home because I assume he will be detained and sent to the army," Glück stated.
Opposition MP Juraj Krúpa (SaS) believes that the information about the deportee might be fabricated. "Just as information about preparations for Maidan was fabricated, information about the person to be deported can also be fabricated, irrespective of whether he was involved in anything," he stated.
Ukraine on the detainee in Slovakia
The Ukrainian detained in Slovakia is reported by the Ukrainian agency Interfax. His identity is unknown; the agency, citing the Ukrainian foreign ministry, states that it is about a Ukrainian citizen born in 1966.
According to the foreign ministry, the Ukrainian consulate is already providing necessary support, and the man is also using the services of a lawyer.
"We insist that the Slovak side respects the rights and interests of the Ukrainian citizen." The Ukrainian Embassy in Slovakia has already contacted the relevant Slovak authorities to clarify the reasons for the detention," Interfax quotes the ministry's position.
Protests in Slovakia continue
On Friday, demonstrators will again march in several Slovak cities to protest under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe!". For the fourth time, there will be a large demonstration in Banská Bystrica, as well as in Trnava and Lučenec.
Next week, on February 7th, protesters will gather in Bratislava and other cities.
Source: aktuality.sk, noviny.sk, interfax.com.ua
