On September 29, 2012, promoters of the far-right People’s Party Our Slovakia (Ľudová strana Naše Slovensko – LSNS) are planning an event to “clean up” the Romani settlement in Krásná Hôrka, Slovakia. The party is inviting people to attend the event through social networks and its website, claiming that more than 300 people might participate.
Marián Kotleba, the party’s leading candidate, has requested the Slovak State Police to coordinate the event. Kotleba recently acquired land below the Krásná Hôrka castle, where several illegally built dwellings are currently located. He announced his intention to demolish the illegal Romani dwellings on his land shortly after acquiring it. The Romani residents have indicated that they are prepared to use violence to defend their constructions.
The mayor of the village, Peter Boll, has expressed concerns that problems might arise due to Kotleba’s actions. He emphasized that the village had never had any issues with the local Romani people before the fire that destroyed the local castle on March 10, 2012. Kotleba accused the local Romani community of being responsible for damaging the national cultural monument.
Kotleba was previously the leader of the Slovak right-wing extremist party “Slovak Solidarity” (Slovenská pospolitost – SP). The group espouses the legacy of the WWII-era Slovak state, which was an ally of Nazi Germany. The SP is infamous for its marches “for the nation” and against Romani people, inciting nationalist and racial intolerance and hatred.
