Slovak Parliament Increases Penalties for Damaging War Memorials and Holocaust Sites

Slovakia's National Council, the country's parliament, approved tougher penalties for vandalism of war memorials and Holocaust sites. Under the new legislation, damaging war graves or Holocaust monuments can now result in up to one year in prison. The penalties increase to two years for cases involving higher financial damage or repeat offenses. The measure reflects Slovakia's efforts to strengthen protection of sites commemorating victims of World War II and the Holocaust, issues that remain sensitive in a country that was part of Nazi-allied Slovak State during the war and lost most of its Jewish population during the Holocaust.