Bratislava: Slovakia’s political establishment was shaken on Saturday after the country’s National Security Adviser tendered his resignation following revelations contained in newly released documents linked to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The adviser categorically rejected allegations of misconduct, insisting that his decision to step aside was taken purely in the interest of safeguarding the government from political turbulence rather than admitting to any fault.
The resignation comes in the wake of a fresh tranche of Epstein-related files made public in the United States, which have triggered renewed global scrutiny of public figures whose names appeared in past correspondence or contact lists. According to media reports, the Slovak adviser’s name surfaced in connection with an old exchange dating back several years, prompting opposition leaders and sections of the media to demand clarity and accountability.
In a detailed statement, the adviser stressed that any contact referenced in the documents was incidental and innocuous, firmly distancing himself from Epstein’s criminal activities. He underlined that he had never engaged in illegal, unethical, or inappropriate conduct, and condemned Epstein’s crimes in the strongest possible terms. “I refuse to allow speculative interpretations to undermine the credibility of the state or the work of the government,” he said, explaining that his resignation was a preventive political decision, not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Prime Minister Robert Fico accepted the resignation, acknowledging the adviser’s long-standing service and experience in matters of diplomacy and national security. While refraining from commenting on the substance of the allegations, the Prime Minister noted that the controversy risked becoming a distraction at a time when the government is focused on domestic stability and regional security challenges.
The development has sparked intense debate within Slovakia, with opposition parties calling for greater transparency over past associations of senior officials, while government allies argue that appearing in Epstein-related documents does not automatically imply criminality. Legal experts have also cautioned against drawing conclusions solely from names mentioned in the files, pointing out that many individuals listed are neither accused nor suspected of crimes.
The Epstein document disclosures have had far-reaching political repercussions well beyond the United States, reigniting controversies across Europe and elsewhere. In Slovakia’s case, the episode underscores how historic associations however limited can rapidly escalate into major political crises in an era of heightened public sensitivity and global information flows.
As investigations and public discussions continue internationally, Slovak authorities have indicated that no criminal proceedings are currently underway against the former adviser. Nevertheless, his resignation marks one of the most high-profile political fallouts in Central Europe linked to the renewed release of Epstein-related records, highlighting the enduring global shadow cast by the scandal years after Epstein’s death.