Thousands protest against Slovakia culture minister

BRATISLAVA, Sept 20 (AFP): Thousands of people protested in Slovakia on Thursday against recent moves by the country's culture minister, accused by critics of censorship and poor management of public funding.

"Shame on you," a crowd in Bratislava's main square chanted against Culture Minister Martina Simko-vicova. Organisers said 3,500 demonstrators turned out in the capital of Bratislava, with rallies also held in more than a dozen other cities.

Simkovicova hails from the right-wing SNS party, part of the coalition led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

She has sacked the heads of cultural institutions including the Slovak National Theatre and the Slovak National Gallery, prompting accusations from opposition parties of trying to muzzle artistic freedoms.