Court overturns acquittal of accused mastermind of killing Slovak journalist

Slovakia’s Supreme Court has overturned the acquittal of a man suspected of ordering the murders of Slovak journalist Jan Kociak and his fiancée Martina Kosnerova. It was businessman Marianne Kushner last year disownedwhich was appealed by the Public Prosecution Office.

In September 2020, the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence against the businessman and the other defendants. The case is now reopened because, according to the court, errors were made during the trial.

The investigative journalist and his fiancée (both 27) were shot dead in their home in February 2018. The double murders sparked large demonstrations and a political crisis in Slovakia. In the end, Prime Minister Fico and the country’s highest police chief were forced to resign.

corruption

Kuciak mainly published about corruption in his country. The journalist devoted at least nine articles to the millionaire Kushner, one of the most powerful businessmen in the country.

According to prosecutors, real estate tycoon Kushner threatened the investigative journalist several times and ordered the murders. Kochner has always denied this. However, he is currently in prison. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison in a major corruption case.

ex-soldier plead guilty at the beginning of 2020 for murders. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.