Slovakia’s Struggle Against Organized Crime: Challenges and Shortcomings

Introduction

Organized crime poses a significant threat to the stability and security of Slovakia. Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies, the country faces numerous challenges in combating this issue.

Law Enforcement Efforts

• Specialized Units: Slovakia has special law enforcement units dedicated to fighting organized crime. However, these agencies have been inadequate in recent years, particularly when it comes to white-collar crime, corruption, and high-level political crime.
• Financial Investigators: The lack of skilled financial investigators hinders efforts to tackle financial crime. Some high-ranking police officers are known to be in close contact with alleged criminals, who can manipulate investigations.

Vulnerabilities and Risks

• Transnational Organized Crime: Slovakia’s location between EU states, the Schengen Area, and Ukraine makes it vulnerable to transnational organized crime.
• Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: Slovakia is at low to medium risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. However, there are shortcomings in the use of financial information to detect evidence of criminal assets.
• Corruption: Corruption has been reported in financial institutions and police branches responsible for investigating financial crimes.

Challenges and Shortcomings

• VAT Fraud: VAT fraud is pervasive in Slovakia, with both national and international organized crime groups involved.
• Civil Society and Social Protection: A legal framework for victim and witness support exists, but its implementation is weak. There is a general lack of specialists trained in the psychosocial support of victims.
• Witness Protection: Laws ensure that the identities of witnesses are protected, although their implementation is weak.

Prevention and Awareness

Isolated campaigns have been run by various state and non-state actors to prevent organized crime, but these activities do not appear to have any significant effect.