Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Slovak governments planned changes to NAKA the National Crime Agency raise concerns about the fight against corruption and EU fund protection.
At the moment the European Commission is closely observing the reform process that is taking place in Slovakias NAKA the National Crime Agency which is expected to be completed no later than August 2023. It will analyse the impact of these reforms on anti corruption policies in Slovakia. NAKA is one of the most equipped police organizations fighting against crime in Slovakia and investigating serious criminal offences and broader investigation of corruption cases including high ranking officials in the state.
Is Slovakias Government compromising anti-corruption efforts amid EU funding risks?
The latest Slovak Government led by victorious Mr Fico can thus be found preparing to blackguard any agencies fighting against corruption.These are three brand new independent units in NAKA as a part of its restructuring planOne of them is dealing with corruption policy.Slovak Government had intended dissolving NAKA in June 2006 the European Commission blocked it discouraging its pursuit thus it deferred to August.so in future some duties would drop from NAKA to the ordinary police stations but detectives at all levels must also move due to job lossIt just goes to show that the European Commission did not succeed in getting its message across to the government during the discussions.
The European Commission wants Slovakia to explain how they will cooperate with OLAF and EPPO because NAKA collaborates with them closely. Changes to NAKA could affect Slovakias ability to protect EU funds. The EPPO is awaiting more information on the new anti corruption body. Slovakia also plans the shutdown of NCODK which deals with ecology and cyber crimes, in a police reorganization exercise. They will train personnel from NCODK and NAKA as part of their recovery initiative.
The alterations in the government with Naka may cause the loss of EU funds regarding the rule of law issue. Ex-NAKA the Director of which was one of them has been charged on procedural flaws by the prosecution. Former special prosecutor Dusan Kovákik was let go from his position by Minister Boris Susko is also subject to criticism.
