Murder of Jan Kuciak: businessman Marian Kocner acquitted

Businessman Marian Kocner was acquitted in the case of the double murder of a journalist and his girlfriend. AFP - VLADIMIR SIMICEK

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In Slovakia, controversial businessman Marian Kocner was acquitted on Friday by the courts in the case of the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend in February 2018. On the other hand, one of his relatives was heavily condemned.

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A heavy sentence was handed down on Friday 19 May by the special court charged with sentencing those responsible for the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova. Alena Zsuzsova was sentenced to 25 years in prison for ordering him and also for trying to organize the murder of two prosecutors. It will also have to pay 160,000 euros to the families of victims.

For lack of sufficient evidence, the businessman with a sulphurous reputation Marian Kocner, who did business with the sponsor, was acquitted. However, he will remain in prison, due to a long sentence he is serving for another case, says our correspondent in Prague, Alexis Rosenzweig.

« Justice has not been fully served »

«

We will not stop there," said the father of Jan Kuciak, who was killed at the age of 27 at his home. His partner's mother also said she wanted to appeal, after what she called a "shame for the Slovak justice system". Jan Kuciak had published several articles on corruption and the suspicious relations of influential entrepreneur Marian Kocner with senior politicians in the country.

According to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), "justice has not been fully done." This verdict leaves a bitter taste," said Christophe Deloire, secretary general of the organization.

The conviction of one of the masterminds of the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak is a relief, but the verdict leaves a bitter taste due to the acquittal of the main suspect. We stand in full solidarity with the families of the victims. https://t.co/QNDUQJRqz5 pic.twitter.com/YywkJkGo5E

— Christophe Deloire (@cdeloire) May 19, 2023

Of the original suspects, two have pleaded guilty and have already been sentenced, including the executor of the crime. Ex-soldier and hitman Miroslav Marcek was sentenced to 23 years in prison in April 2020 for killing the couple.

The double murder plunged the country of 5.4 million people into crisis and sparked the largest protests since the fall of communism. The Prime Minister at the time, Robert Fico, was forced to resign and the ensuing parliamentary elections were won by the opposition.

Five years after this double homicide, Robert Fico is again leading the polls before the elections scheduled for the end of September.

► Read also: Slovakia: the murder of Jan Kuciak causes a political crisis in the country

(

And with AFP)

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