Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico publicly attacked a judge who fined central bank chief Peter Kazimir €200,000 for bribery, claiming the decision may be politically motivated. Kazimir, a former finance minister and current member of the European Central Bank’s policymaking council, denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal. Fico suggested the judge might have committed criminal acts and implied the ruling served opposition interests. The verdict is not final, and Kazimir remains in his post pending appointment of a successor. The incident reflects growing tensions between nationalist leaders and the judiciary in parts of Europe.