Slovak Security Adviser Steps Down Amid Epstein Email Fallout, Denies Misconduct
PRAGUE, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Miroslav Lajčák, national security adviser to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, resigned on Saturday after newly released court records revealed he had exchanged emails with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, Lajčák denied any illegal or unethical behavior, describing the correspondence as “informal and light-hearted” and unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities. He said he offered his resignation to prevent the situation from being politicized against the prime minister.
“I have done nothing wrong, but I will not allow this to become a tool for attacking the government,” Lajčák said.
Prime Minister Fico accepted the resignation in a video address, praising Lajčák as “an invaluable asset in diplomacy and foreign policy” while emphasizing that the decision was made to avoid unnecessary distraction.
The emails were included in a trove of documents unsealed Friday by the U.S. Justice Department, part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s sex trafficking network. The messages date to October 2018, when Lajčák served as Slovakia’s foreign minister.
Background & Impact: The resignation highlights how the Epstein case continues to reverberate globally, ensnaring figures in politics, business and academia. In Slovakia, the incident may fuel opposition criticism of Fico’s government, which has faced scrutiny over transparency and elite accountability.
Reactions:
“This is about integrity. Even casual contact with a figure like Epstein raises serious questions about judgment,” said Marta Kováč, political analyst at Comenius University in Bratislava.
“Resigning was the right move to contain the damage, but it shouldn’t end the conversation. Voters deserve a full explanation,” noted Peter Horváth, editor at Denník N.
“It’s outrageous. This isn’t just a ‘light-hearted’ exchange—it’s a symptom of a culture that normalized Epstein. Resignation isn’t enough; there must be an independent inquiry,” argued Zuzana Mlynáriková, civil society activist.
“Another casualty of the Epstein files. Whether innocent or not, the association alone is politically toxic,” observed David Varga, retired diplomat.