How do you claim compensation in a case of abuse by police?
You can also ask for compensation if you have suffered damages as a result of abuse by police. The damages may have resulted from a wide range of behaviour. For example, the excessive use of force, physical and verbal abuse etc. Therefore, you can ask for both material damages and moral compensation.
Compensation in civil proceedings
There may also be situations where the actions of police are considered as unlawful by the Bureau of the Inspection Service but will not qualify as a criminal offence. If this is the case, a violation of your rights that caused you harm must be compensated. In this case, you can seek compensation from the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic on behalf of the state. Unless the Ministry pays compensation, you can lodge a civil claim for damages. This claim must be submitted to the civil court (court of general jurisdiction).
Based on the general rules of civil law, you are able to get compensation also for damage caused by your inmates via civil claim.
Compensation in a criminal case
An investigator of the Bureau of the Inspection Service of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic may open a criminal case against the police on the basis of your complaint. In this situation you can seek compensation for damages as a victim in criminal proceedings.
If the compensation claim cannot or cannot fully redress your damages within criminal proceedings, you have the right to seek these damages by filing a civil claim as well. In some cases, you as a victim, also have the right to receive compensation from the State.