Judge Kliment Calls for Protection of Judicial Independence, Criticizes Government Attacks on Prosecutor Záleská

A Slovak judge has publicly called for the protection of judicial independence while criticizing government attacks on prosecutor Záleská. Judge Kliment's statement also condemned Prime Minister Robert Fico's announcement that he would file criminal charges against Záleská. The development highlights growing tensions between Slovakia's judiciary and the government led by Fico's Smer-SD party, which returned to power in 2023. Záleská, who serves as a prosecutor handling sensitive cases, has become a target of political criticism from the ruling coalition, raising concerns about the independence of the country's judicial system and the rule of law.