Police Launch Criminal Proceedings Over Ambulance Tender

Bratislava, Slovakia – The Slovak police have initiated a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of power by a public official, a probe directly linked to a controversial tender for operating emergency medical services (EMS). This development follows a criminal complaint lodged in August 2025 by František Majerský, a Member of Parliament from the KDH party, who has been a vocal critic of the tender process.

MP Majerský stated, "From the beginning, I have been fighting against this non-transparent tender, as everything indicated it was pre-arranged. The initiation of a criminal investigation shows that the police perceive these suspicions just as seriously. I will be closely monitoring this case, because one cannot do business with ambulances."

The tender, launched in May 2025 by the Operational Centre of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) of the Slovak Republic, faced significant backlash from both the opposition and parts of the ruling coalition due to its perceived lack of transparency. Consequently, the Operational Centre canceled the tender in August 2025. However, the Ministry of Health has consistently defended its actions, asserting that the tender's cancellation and subsequent procedural decisions were lawful.

Adding to the scrutiny, the Prosecutor General, Maroš Žilinka, reported in November that the ministry's conduct violated legal statutes, prompting him to file prosecutor's protests. When these protests were not heeded, Žilinka initiated 32 administrative lawsuits. The Ministry, however, remains firm in its stance, prepared to defend its legal position in court. The police's anti-corruption unit has been examining multiple criminal complaints related to this tender since February, indicating a deepening investigation into potential irregularities within the public procurement process for essential health services.

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Od začiatku bojujem proti tomuto netransparentnému tendru, pretože všetko nasvedčovalo tomu, že bol vopred dohodnutý. Začatie trestného stíhania ukazuje, že polícia vníma tieto podozrenia rovnako vážne. Budem tento prípad pozorne sledovať, pretože na záchrankách sa kšeftovať nesmie.