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Béla Bugár, a veteran politician and former chairman of the Most-Híd political party, believes that controversial Slovak pro-Kremlin biker club Brat za Brata should be investigated by Slovak institutions rather than by the EU, Hospodárske Noviny reports. His comments came after Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský submitted a formal request to the EU Council of Interior Ministers to review the organisation’s activities.
Zdechovský argues the group acts as a hybrid tool of the Russian Federation and represents a threat not only to Slovakia but also to the EU. According to him, there is reasonable suspicion that the group receives support from Moscow. He pointed out that while the EU acted promptly against the Russian-affiliated Night Wolves motorcycle club, it has been slower to respond to Brat za Brata’s activities.
Over the past weekend, the group staged a ride across Slovakia, from Bratislava’s Slavín memorial to the Dukla Pass. Zdechovský described the event as “propaganda and reinforcement of a pro-Russian interpretation of history”. Referring to recognition granted to the group by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, the MEP added: “It is not possible to publicly boast about receiving an award from a dictator who unjustifiably attacked his neighbour, and face no consequences for it.”
Bikers’ leader was once a Most-Híd official
Bugár, however, insists that the matter falls within the remit of Slovak institutions. “I do not think it is appropriate for a foreign national to intervene. We have competent bodies here that must deal with threats, intimidation or fascist gestures,” he said in an interview with Hospodárske Noviny. Bugár distanced himself from Brat za Brata’s leader, Matúš Alexa, who once served as a district chairman for Most-Híd.
Other Slovak politicians, however, have voiced support for Zdechovský’s initiative. Former state secretary at the Justice Ministry, Ondrej Dostál, welcomed the move: “I welcome every step that contributes to protecting Slovakia from pro-Russian collaborators. Brat za Brata is undoubtedly a collaborationist group spreading Putin’s propaganda and serving Russian, not Slovak, interests.”
Dostál also rejected criticism of Zdechovský’s nationality, stressing that: “although he is a Czech citizen, he has done a lot for Slovakia by exposing corruption and pro-Russian activities.”
Growing support, at least online
Founded in 2014, Brat za Brata claims to have a strong supporter base. Its Facebook page has grown from 46,000 followers three years ago to more than 140,000 today. The group is also active on Telegram, TikTok and YouTube.
Alexa, the group’s leader, travels frequently to Russia and Belarus, and openly praises Putin and Lukashenko. He recently accepted a medal from the Russian president, which was presented by Moscow’s ambassador in Bratislava.
The group has launched petitions, including one calling for Slovakia’s withdrawal from the EU and NATO, and its members openly display extremist symbols.
The Slovak anti-fascist movement has urged the General Prosecutor’s Office to investigate Brat za Brata for crimes such as undermining the republic and promoting extremist groups.
Slovak police are already examining several cases, including alleged forgery of signatures and tax offences.
Premier is also close to Russia
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Robert Fico was the only EU leader to travel to Beijing for a commemoration of the end of World War II. The gathering was mostly attended by authoritarian leaders, among whom Fico met President Putin and China’s President XI Jinping. The Slovak premier has spoken warmly of his relationship with Putin in particular.
