Slovaks rally against plan to disband graft prosecutor’s office

Thousands of Slovaks rallied in nearly 20 towns and cities on Thursday to protest against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s efforts to close down a special prosecution office that investigates high-profile crime, including cases close to the prime minister.
The protests, called by pro-western liberal and conservative opposition parties and civic activists, were the fourth to take place since Fico proposed rapidly reforming prosecution and criminal law in December, something that has also raised concerns at the European Commission and in the United States.
His plan includes scrapping the special prosecutor’s office (USP) which investigates organised crime and graft cases, limiting protection for whistleblowers and reducing sentences for financial crimes.
“There is a threat that…justice for all will change into amnesty and protection of people close to the ruling coalition, for deeds past and future,” Marian Caucik, deputy leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, said at a rally in Bratislava.