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Lawyers Asking for 'Protected Person' Status due to Valko's Death

Bratislava, November 15 (TASR) - The chairmanship of the Slovak Advocates Chamber (SAK) noted on Monday that they are closely monitoring the investigation of the murder of prestigious lawyer Ernest Valko, who was killed a week ago, and are calling on the relevant authorities to resolve the case as soon as possible and punish the culprits.

SAK points out that Valko's death isn't only a personal tragedy, but has a deep, national impact. "The violent crime may be a display of the inappropriate functioning of the judicial system, as well as an attempt to influence the results of specific court trials," SAK writes in a statement provided for TASR by its media department head Nada Ondrisova.

According to SAK, this tragedy shows that lawyers may feel endangered nowadays. "The state is obliged to ensure that (lawyers) can do their job freely, independently and without worrying about their lives," SAK stressed, adding that the state has to take measures aimed at guaranteeing protection for lawyers and their clients. One of the ways is to give lawyers a status of so-called protected persons.

"It's important that appropriate protection is granted to every lawyer who objectively feels under threat. Otherwise, the basic right of people for legal assistance, part of which is keeping their legal counsel secret, will be endangered," SAK added.

Prominent lawyer Ernest Valko was shot dead at his home on the evening of November 8. His body was found later the same day by his daughter and ex-wife. He was killed by a single bullet fired from a distance of several metres that hit him in the heart and lung.

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