The decision is not final as Minister Robert Kaliňák has appealed.
A public procurement watchdog has imposed a record €1.7 million fine on the Defence Ministry, ruling that it unlawfully bypassed competitive tender rules when purchasing two Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft.
The Public Procurement Office (ÚVO) fined the ministry more than €850,000 over each of two contracts worth a combined €46 million. The watchdog said the ministry had incorrectly used an exemption from public procurement rules that applies to certain defence and security contracts.
According to the decision, the aircraft were civilian when acquired and did not qualify for the exemption. The office said the unusually high penalty reflected the seriousness of the breach and was intended to discourage similar practices.
“The amount of the fine was set at the upper limit ... so that it fulfils both a punitive and preventive purpose and motivates the contracting authority to comply with its obligations in the future,” the decision states, as quoted by Denník N.
