Criminal Police Reject Allegations of Illegal Background Check on Opposition Leader's Mother

Slovakia's National Criminal Agency has rejected allegations that it conducted an illegal background check on the mother of opposition leader Michal Šimečka. The controversy centers on claims that financial authorities improperly investigated the family member of Šimečka, who leads the Progressive Slovakia party, the largest opposition party in parliament. The Financial Administration maintains it acted within legal bounds, while a foundation supporting the family alleges abuse of power. Šimečka has characterized the incident as an abuse of state institutions, raising concerns about potential political targeting of opposition figures' relatives.