Slovak police investigate treason case against PM Fico over halt to electricity supplies to Ukraine

Slovak police have launched an investigation into Prime Minister Robert Fico, whom the opposition accuses of treason over the suspension of emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Source: Slovak newspaper Denník N, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Law enforcement officials said the investigation is at an early stage.

"At this stage, the content of the complaint and whether the facts described constitute a criminal offence are being examined," the police said.

The case concerns a criminal complaint for treason allegedly committed by the sitting prime minister, as submitted by Branislav Gröhling, leader of the liberal Freedom and Solidarity party. He said more than 13,000 people signed the complaint.

The opposition believes that by deciding to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, Fico is opening a new front against Ukraine on the side of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. They argue that the decision could have humanitarian consequences and negatively affect Slovakia's position abroad.

In addition to treason, the complaint also concerns suspicions of abuse of office, inhuman treatment, breach of duties in managing entrusted property or terrorism.

Background:

• At the end of February, the Freedom and Solidarity party filed a criminal complaint with the prosecution over Fico's decision to suspend emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.
• On 23 February, Fico said he had ordered the suspension of emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine because supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline had not resumed.
• Meanwhile, Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned electricity transmission operator, said that the suspension of emergency electricity supplies from Slovakia would not affect the situation in Ukraine's unified power grid.

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