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NBCApr 04
Slovakia Receives Over 1K Bomb Threats
The Facts
An unidentified perpetrator sent bomb threats to over 1.1K institutions, including schools, across Slovakia on Tuesday. The threats prompted widespread evacuations and deployment of law enforcement teams, including canine units and bomb disposal experts.
The deputy head of police, Rastislav Polakovic, said that the officials are investigating the act "as a particularly serious crime of terrorist attack."
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This event is deeply concerning. Prime Minister Fico has dangerously cozied up to the Kremlin. Despite opposition Fico is veering Slovakia on the path to tilt to Moscow and limit support for Ukraine. Russian meddling in Slovakian society is a risk as Moscow yields more influence over the Eastern European nation.
Pro-Russia narrative
It's premature to blame Russia for disruptions in Slovakia — they could even be simple pranks. Moreover, it's the West that can be seen as essentially meddling in Slovakian politics by potentially cutting funding as punishment for Fico's warming of relations with Moscow. The EU's bullying of Fico's foreign policy must be closely monitored.