Institutional Violence and Impunity
On 19 June 2013, Slovak police carried out a large-scale raid in the Roma settlement of Budulovská in Moldava nad Bodvou after a reported altercation with officers. During the operation, residents—including women and minors—were beaten, intimidated, and subjected to degrading treatment inside their homes and in public spaces, with medical records confirming serious injuries. Despite the scale of violence, authorities dismissed allegations of brutality and framed the raid as legitimate policing. The case exposed deep structural problems in Slovakia’s approach to Roma communities, highlighting racial profiling, lack of accountability, and the continuity of prejudice in the democratic era. It became emblematic of institutional antigypsyism and a reference point in debates on police reform and minority protection.
„More than 60 Slovak Police riot units physically and verbally assaulted 31 Romani men and women who offered them no resistance.“
Amnesty International, campaign text “7 rokov (ne)spravodlivosti v Moldave: z obetí spravili vinníkov”
Further Reading / Sources
Amnesty International – “Slovak authorities must investigate the police action in Romani settlement Moldava nad Bodvou” (EUR 72/002/2013)
First detailed international call for investigation
ERRC – “Slovak Authorities Must Investigate the Police Action in Romani Settlement Moldava nad Bodvou”
Early ERRC statement with description of the raid and calls for accountability
ERRC – “Slovak Government to Pay Damages to Roma from Moldava Nad Bodvou Police Raid” (2022)
On the friendly settlement and compensation for eight victims, summarising the case
Ombudsperson / analysis – “Moldava – from police raid to ECHR ruling” (Menšinová politika)
Detailed Slovak analytical narrative, including description of the raid, lack of warrants, use of batons and tasers, and the 2020 ECHR ruling
ECHR – R.R. and R.D. v. Slovakia (Moldava raid)
Strasbourg judgment finding violations of Article 3 (ill‑treatment and ineffective investigation)
SME – “Zásah polície v Moldave nad Bodvou: Rómom hrozí väzenie” (17 June 2019)
Recaps the 2013 raid (“vyše 60 policajtov so psami… bili všetkých, ktorí im prišli do cesty”) and quotes ex‑ombudswoman Jana Dubovcová that “policajná sila bola použitá bezdôvodne a neprimerane.”