By Matúš Beňo
Copyright sme
Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, September 24 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Černák’s bid to become first lifer freed in Slovakia blocked
Mikuláš Černák, once the feared boss of the Banská Bystrica mafia, will not become Slovakia’s first life-sentenced prisoner to walk free.
At the Leopoldov prison, where Černák is serving his sentence, the Trnava District Court senate ruled against granting him parole. He will remain behind bars, though the decision is not final. His lawyers has filed an appeal, which will be decided by a regional court.
The court concluded it was not reasonable to expect Černák to lead a normal life after release, stressing that his crimes were committed in a serious, cruel, and socially unacceptable manner.
The parole request was submitted by the non-profit Restart–New Life, founded by Romanian-born Adina Ioana Popa. She admitted the organisation was created specifically to support Černák, with close involvement from his family and legal team.
Černák became eligible for parole after serving 25 years. He admitted to 16 crimes, including 14 murders, and later began cooperating with law enforcement.
“It is a court decision that I have to respect. Yes, I am disappointed,” Černák told the TASR newswire. One of his lawyers, Ján Gereg, called the verdict subjective and a precedent suggesting no life-sentenced prisoner will ever be released, according to the newswire.
Trnava prosecutor Monika Brodanská said the decision was fair and proportionate to the severity of Černák’s crimes. “If we were to release Černák today, the seriousness of the criminal activity of other convicts would lose its meaning,” she said.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
OPINION: How to “win the lottery” with the Slovak police as a foreigner or a personal experience dealing with the Foreigners’ Police Department in Bratislava.SPORT: More than a year ago, Adam Cibuľa, a five-time European bodybuilding champion, was living on the street and had pawned his medals to buy food. Now he has been given a second chance to return.TRAVEL: These scenic ridge hikes will take you to Kysuce’s highest peak, a lookout on Hladký vrch, and the remote Turzovka Highlands.ARCHITECTURE: Nivy Tower, at 125 metres the tallest office building in Slovakia, has officially joined the global elite. It secured eighth place in the ranking of the world’s top ten office buildings.SLOVAK MATTERS: People like talking, which means they are willing to believe that you understand them. But sometimes it is easier to pretend you understand because it means less fuss.SAFETY: At a recent Košice city council meeting, several district mayors and councillors raised the issue of voluntary patrols, noting that some have already been formed or that residents feel a need for them.
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FEATURE STORY
Keeping the heritage in the family
Despite her grandfather passing away six months before she was born, second generation Slovak American Mary Knight heard so many stories about him, he became very much a part of her.Both of her paternal grandparents came from Slovakia. They met in the US and had seven children. Like many of his compatriots, Knight’s grandfather worked in the coal mines of Vintondale, Pennsylvania, and was involved in the unions and fights to improve workers’ rights and safety. Her grandfather’s history is the reason why Knight is applying for citizenship.
EVENT FOR SATURDAY
Reenactment of a historic battle
Many a historic battles took place in the vicinity of Bratislava, something which the city likes to reenact very often. This Saturday, you can watch a battle from 1621 brought to life in Janko Kráľ City Park, Petržalka. The event includes troop maneuvers, period medicine, a procession, music and more. Admission is free. Click here for details.
IN OTHER NEWS
The fourth joint session of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments will take place in Michalovce, eastern Slovakia, on October 17. (TASR)The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has issued an urgent opinion on Slovakia’s proposed constitutional amendment, warning that vague and undefined terms such as “national identity” or “cultural and ethical issues” could lead to arbitrary interpretation by state authorities, leading to undermining human rights protections, among other things. It made four recommendations, including clarifying these references. The Government Office dismissed the concerns, arguing that the commission confirmed that constitutional protection of “traditional values and sovereignty” is in line with international standards and does not conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights or relevant case law. (Council of Europe, TASR)Coalition MPs on the parliamentary committee for incompatibility of functions backed intelligence service (SIS) director Pavol Gašpar after he rejected all allegations against him. The MPs abstained from voting, meaning the committee will not examine the matter further. Gašpar has faced suspicions of breaching conflict-of-interest rules on at least four occasions, including failing to declare ownership of a sports car later involved in an accident and providing questionable explanations for acquiring properties. The Let’s Stop Corruption initiative, which filed one of the complaints, described the committee’s approach as “an arrogance of power.” (SME)During a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovský was struck in the face by the skate of his former teammate Christian Dvorak. The Slovak forward immediately headed to the locker room for treatment before returning to the bench and continuing the game. In 2008, former Slovak player Richard Zedník suffered a far more serious accident when a teammate’s skate blade cut his carotid artery, an injury he survived. (Sportnet)
A new petition to protect the November 17 holiday has been launched by several civic initiatives and public figures. The Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy is set to become a regular working day this year under government savings measures following the backlash over the transaction tax. The petition, titled Don’t Take November 17 Away, calls the plan an “unprecedented attack on the most important symbol of Slovak democracy and the legacy of the Velvet Revolution.” It urges MPs to reject any proposal that would weaken the holiday, warning it would erode national memory and civic identity. (SME)Slovakia is expecting delivery of two more F-16 fighter jets next week, with another two by the end of the year, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) announced. This will bring the total number to nine out of 14 ordered jets. Kaliňák added that pilots have already completed training. While Slovakia’s airspace is currently protected by allies, the new deliveries could allow the country to regain this capability next year. Slovakia has also yet to decide on the purchase of new tanks, with two options under consideration. (TASR, SITA)This year’s summer in Slovakia was on average 1.5°C cooler than last year, according to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. The average temperature was 19.2°C, making it the 12th warmest summer since 1931. June stood out for record-breaking heat: in Hurbanovo, temperatures exceeded 30°C on 17 days, while in Gabčíkovo it happened on 16 days. Both July and August, however, were within normal ranges. (TASR)President Peter Pellegrini called for an end to the war in Ukraine during his address to the UN Security Council in New York. “As a neighbouring country, Slovakia is very concerned about the situation in Ukraine. The consequences [of the war] go beyond the borders of Ukraine, affecting global peace, security and justice,” he said, adding it is the duty of the international community to do its utmost to end the conflict. Pellegrini also explicitly mentioned Russia, saying it refuses to stop fighting, forcing Ukraine to defend itself, its people, and its borders, while causing security incidents involving Slovakia’s allies. (TASR)Opposition Progressive Slovakia has criticised Slovakia’s exclusion, alongside Hungary, from upcoming talks on anti-drone defence along Europe’s eastern border. The meeting, scheduled for Friday, will bring together seven EU countries, the European Commission, and Ukrainian representatives. MP Tomáš Valášek accused Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák of misleading the public by claiming that only NATO, not the EU, is responsible for defence, noting that the EU has commanded operations and can directly fund defence capabilities. He argued Slovakia belongs at the table but is being excluded due to lack of trust. Kaliňák countered that the talks are only beginning and no country has been excluded, reiterating that the EU cannot operate anti-drone systems. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) added that only states whose airspace has been breached are taking part in the first round. PM Robert Fico said that he is to take part in an informal meeting of European Union Prime Ministers where the issue of anti-drone defence will be raised. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Cloudy to overcast skies, with rain expected in many areas. Daily temperatures will range from 12°C to 17°C. A Level 1 wind warning has been issued for districts in southeastern Slovakia.
SEPTEMBER 25 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: All the best to Vladislava and Vladislav who mark their nameday in Slovakia on Thursday.
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