Violence, Racism, and Public Justification
On 16 June 2012, a man in Hurbanovo opened fire on a group of Roma men, killing two and seriously injuring another. Investigations confirmed the attack was racially motivated, with the perpetrator targeting the victims for their Roma identity rather than individual actions. Despite the gravity of the crime, public reactions often expressed sympathy for the shooter. Racist narratives spread through media and online platforms, depicting Roma as inherently violent and framing the shooting as a justified response to alleged “Roma criminality.” The case revealed how antigypsyism in Slovakia extends beyond isolated acts of violence into broader social discourse, normalizing prejudice, undermining victim dignity, and exposing systemic failures in hate crime recognition and equal protection under the law.
„[The accused] … with a view to definitively resolving the problem with the unintegrated citizens of Hurbanovo by causing their deaths, took a weapon and loaded it with two full magazines.“
Sentencing judgment of the Specialised Criminal Court
Quoted in the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Lakatošová and Lakatoš v. Slovakia
Further Reading / Sources
ECHR – Lakatošová and Lakatoš v. Slovakia (2018)
Strasbourg judgment finding that Slovakia failed to properly investigate possible racist motives behind the Hurbanovo shooting
ERRC – “Slovakia Mishandled Racist Murders of Roma by Off‑Duty Cop” (2018)
Explains the case, racist motive (“how to deal with the Roma from Hurbanovo”), nine‑year sentence, and systemic failures
The Slovak Spectator – “Police officer charged in Hurbanovo shooting” (18 June 2012)
Early report detailing the attack (three killed, two injured; off‑duty municipal police officer; unlicensed gun)
BBC – “Slovakia off‑duty policeman kills three” (15 June 2012)
International coverage emphasising that the victims were members of a Roma family.
Romea.cz – “European Court of Human Rights: Slovakia did not sufficiently investigate racial motivation…”
Summary of the ECHR ruling with clear emphasis on the racist motivation and state failure.
Denník N – “Vrah z Hurbanova je doma hrdina. Bol nepríčetny, no majetok prepísať vedel” (10 Dec 2018)
Long piece on local support for the shooter and criticism of the nine‑year sentence, illustrating public sympathy and antigypsyist narratives
Aktuality.sk – “Policajt sa s Rómami poznal, mali kriminálnu minulosť” (15 June 2012)
Early report that both identifies the victims as Roma and reproduces framing around their alleged “criminal past,” showing media bias