Opposition files criminal complaint over Russian cameras at Interior Ministry, and over fraud against minister
Progressive Slovakia has filed a criminal complaint in the case of traffic cameras with Russian components. Under scrutiny are Interior Minister Šutaj Eštok and supplier Soitron.
Progressive Slovakia files criminal complaint over traffic cameras case with Russian components
As reported by Google News SK — Crime (sk), the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) filed a criminal complaint on Tuesday in connection with the case of traffic cameras in which the National Security Office (NBÚ) discovered Russian components. The complaint concerns, among other things, suspicions of fraud, abuse of power by a public official, sabotage and espionage.
Peter Bátor of PS stated that the party has "suspicions regarding pricing and the prices at which these cameras were sold to the Interior Ministry". He also added that it will be up to the bodies competent in criminal proceedings to investigate these suspicions.
Minister silent, Smer-SD promises new tender
Interior Minister and chairman of the Hlas party Matúš Šutaj Eštok made no public statement on the matter, despite the Hlas party having announced his participation at Monday's press conference. Instead of the minister, party representatives appeared, who announced the suspension of the competition for further camera purchases and promised the announcement of a new tender. According to them, the supplier company did not provide the ministry with all information about the equipment. When asked if they were satisfied with the minister's explanation, they replied: "I think he explained it sufficiently to the public and we expect that there will be a new competition, where these cameras will no longer be present."
Timeline of the case: from NBÚ to prosecution
The NBÚ confirmed on 11 August that in two tested traffic cameras there were Russian components and that their deployment into live operation could pose a security risk. The following day, 12 August, Minister Šutaj Eštok stated that the ministry had been "deceived" by the supplier, citing a certificate from the Slovak Metrology Institute (SMÚ).
However, the SMÚ objected to such an interpretation on the same day. "The assertion that the said certificate for the traffic speed meter represents a general guarantee of the reliability and readiness of the equipment does not correspond to the purpose or legal significance of the type approval of the measuring instrument concerned," the institute stated. It simultaneously emphasised that it does not verify cyber security, supply chains or the origin of components, as this is not its statutory duty.
On 14 August, the NBÚ warned that the radar cameras under assessment represented a "significant cyber threat". The analysis revealed problems with communication interfaces, remote access and the origin of hardware and software. The minister assured the public that the equipment had not been connected to protected databases or deployed into live operation. The ministry subsequently terminated its cooperation with the company Soitron and announced personnel consequences.
Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka ordered the Bratislava prosecution office to investigate the matter. The case is therefore already being examined by the bodies competent in criminal proceedings.
PS: Minister should have filed the complaint himself
Jaroslav Spišiak of PS highlighted the paradox of the situation: the bodies competent in criminal proceedings that are subordinate to the Interior Ministry will be investigating the Interior Minister himself. The opposition also maintains that by filing the criminal complaint, in a sense they are helping the minister, who described himself as the victim of fraud. "In effect, we are substituting for the Interior Minister, who, in my view, if he claims they were defrauded, should have filed this criminal complaint himself," said Spišiak.
In the criminal complaint, PS included suspicions of abuse of power by a public official, dereliction of duty by a public official, breach of duty in the management of another's property, fraud, falsification and alteration of public documents, computer crimes, sabotage, espionage, unauthorised processing of personal data and possible corruption-related crimes.
PS is also calling for thorough security vetting of all persons and companies that participated in the preparation and installation of the cameras. It points out that several persons connected to the case are still holders of valid security clearances.
Statistical Office under scrutiny of economic committee
Chairman of the parliamentary group of Hlas, Róbert Puci, who is also chairman of the economic committee of the National Council of the SR, promised on Monday that he would address the chairman of the Statistical Office of the SR in writing. The aim is to check a possible contractual relationship between the office and a company connected with the supply of the cameras in question. "Tomorrow I will send him a written request on behalf of myself as chairman of the economic committee. Let him explain it. And then I will inform you," said Puci.
Source: Google News SK — Crime (sk)