Slovak PM Files Criminal Complaint Against Judge Who Convicted Former Prosecutor General

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has filed a criminal complaint against Judge Pamela Záleská, who convicted former Prosecutor General Dušan Kováčik in a first-instance court ruling. Fico also called on Justice Minister Boris Susko to file disciplinary proceedings against the judge. The move represents an escalation in tensions between Slovakia's political leadership and judiciary, as Fico appears to prioritize defending Kováčik over other parliamentary business. Kováčik, who served as prosecutor general until 2020, was convicted in a corruption case, though the specific charges were not detailed in available reports. Fico's Smer-SD party leads Slovakia's ruling coalition, while his public criticism of judges handling high-profile cases has raised concerns about judicial independence in the country.