Žilinka: prosecutions of police officers and customs officials for abuse of power rose by 17%
Slovakia's General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka has highlighted the growing number of cases involving abuse of power by law enforcement bodies. The number of prosecutions initiated has risen by 17.3% compared to 2024.
Prosecutors record rise in cases of abuse of power by police, Prison and Justice Guard, and customs officials
The share of criminal prosecutions of police, Prison and Justice Guard (ZVJS) and customs official for abuse of power by a public official increased in the past year. According to the TASR news agency, General Prosecutor of the Slovak Republic Maroš Žilinka drew attention to the relevant statistics via social media. According to Aktuality, criminal proceedings were initiated in 95 cases, which represents a year-on-year increase of 17.3 per cent compared to 2024.
Žilinka stressed that criminal offences of this type committed by members of armed security forces and customs officials represent a serious breach of integrity in public life. "They undermine citizens' trust in the state and its institutions," the General Prosecutor stated. He also noted that the statistics suggest greater efficiency in prosecuting these offences in 2025.
The number of charges brought in 2025 reached 19 cases, compared to 17 cases in 2024. Prosecutors also filed indictments in 19 cases, whereas in the previous year this was only 11 cases — the year-on-year increase in indictments thus represents 72.7 per cent.
Of the total of 224 cases in which criminal prosecution was initiated last year for abuse of power by a public official, cases involving members of security forces and customs officials accounted for 42.4 per cent. When charges were brought, their share represented 36.5 per cent of all 52 cases. In the case of filed indictments, it was 47.5 per cent of 40 cases.
The lawfulness of procedure in these proceedings is monitored by prosecutors from district prosecutor's offices. The investigation itself is carried out by investigators from the Inspection Service Office.
Source: Aktuality