Can a person in uniform—who is supposed to protect others—become a threat themselves? A case is being heard in Košice that undermines trust in law enforcement. A police officer accused of raping and sexually assaulting women while on duty was unexpectedly released by the court.
The case involves a police officer who, according to investigators, repeatedly committed sexual crimes against detained women right in the cells of a police station.
The Nature of the Charges
In early November, the Inspection Service (Úrad inšpekčnej služby) detained a police officer from Košice. He was charged with rape and sexual assault. Investigators claim that the crimes occurred systematically while the officer was on duty.
His actions were classified as having been committed under aggravating circumstances, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The prosecutor’s office insisted on his arrest, as it believed the suspect might continue his criminal activities.
An Unexpected Court Ruling
Despite the seriousness of the charges, on November 6, the Košice Municipal Court decided to release the police officer from custody. The judge explained her decision by citing procedural violations and a lack of evidence at this stage of the investigation. For example, the victims and the defendant’s colleagues had not yet been questioned.
The police officer’s defense also claims that he was on leave during some of the alleged incidents. The prosecutor’s office disagreed with the court’s decision and filed an appeal—which will be heard by the regional court. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Reaction from the Authorities
This case sparked a sharp reaction from the country’s top leadership. Interior Minister Matush Shutay Eshtok condemned any abuse of power by police officers and called for a thorough investigation. The president of the Police Corps expressed a similar position.
The Office of the Public Defender of Rights (Verejný ochranca práv) has become involved in the case. The office emphasized that people in custody are particularly vulnerable, and that the state bears responsibility for their safety. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, it’s important to know where to turn—we’ve compiled all the important contacts on our website.
This case demonstrates how crucial oversight of law enforcement agencies and transparent investigations are for restoring public trust. Future developments will show whether the justice system can uncover the truth. You can read more details about the initial arrest in this article on Noviny.sk.
