Page 5 - bne_newspaper_March_2_2018

Top Stories
March 2, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 5
On February 28 the two officials resigned, saying they did not want the scandal to harm Fico. Vil- iam Jasan, head of the powerful Security Coun- cil, and Maria Troskova, a top adviser to Fico, are alleged, according to the article (translated by daily SME), to be connected through various companies to Vadala.
“Connecting our names with this hideous act, some politicians or media are absolutely out of line. We categorically deny any ties with this trag- edy. But because our names are being misused in a political fight against Prime Minister Robert Fico, we decided until the full investigation of this case to leave our jobs in the Cabinet Office,” they wrote in a joint statement.
At a press briefing on February 27 Fico announced a reward of €1mn for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators. Fico also said a special team will be created to investigate the murder.
The Smer leader said Jasan had full security clearance to be secretary of the Security Coun- cil. “He was approved by all, even the strictest, security clearances. It is the clearance coordinat- ed with Nato standards. There was no business connection. Should I accuse him of murder now? Don’t do it, please,” Fico said emotionally.
He also appealed to the opposition not to use the
murder for political gain. “Let’s unite, let’s go together,” Fico said at the press briefing.
But journalists, who have long been roundly abused by Fico for what he regards as their politi- cal bias, as well as the parliamentary opposition, are now demanding full transparency or even the prime minister's resignation.
“No, Mr Prime Minister, we are not on the same ship. You and your colleagues are suspected
of covering up the mafia. And we ask for an independent investigation into the mafia’s activity in Slovakia,” wrote Monika Todova, a reporter from Dennik N, on her Facebook.
Smer's Minister of Culture, Marek Madaric,
has also announced his resignation after the murder. “I can’t handle that during my time in the government the journalist has been killed,” he said during a press briefing. “Verbal attacks on jour- nalist didn’t help much to create correct relations between journalist and politicians,” he added, in a clear reference to Fico's insults against journalists.
Madaric, a leading figure in Smer, could pose a potential challenge to Fico. The culture minis- ter, described as an ideologue of Smer, recently stepped down from his position as vice-chairman of the party after failing in a bid to force the party to undertake internal reform.
SIGN UP FOR
A FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION TO BNE’S MAGAZINE
Sign up to bne IntelliNews’ monthly e-magazine for free, delivered to your inbox each month.
We cover business, economics, finance and politics of the 30 countries of emerging Europe and central Asia.
While other news outlets report on what is happening, we look at why with our in-depth analysis.
To get the e-version of our monthly magazine fill out the form here.
Or go to bne.eu/welcome to see samples of this and other products.