October 10, 2024 - Czechia, Prague and Slovakia, Žilina

Czech journalist Kristina Ciroková is under investigation by Slovak authorities for reporting on the religious sect AllatRa, which has been accused of promoting extremist ideologies.

Prosecutor Lucia Pavlaninová arrived in Prague on September 25 to interrogate Ciroková, although she was not overseeing the case. The journalist’s employer revealed details of the investigation on October 10, 2024.

Slovakian journalist Karolína Kiripolská - who also reported on the sect - was questioned by the prosecution as a witness.

This case raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest, as the Slovakian prosecutor, who traveled to Czechia to personally interrogate Ciroková, is linked to the sect.

Women Press Freedom urges Slovak authorities to immediately drop the investigation and ensure that legal means are not weaponized to retaliate against journalists for their reporting.