Main trial into murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak opens in Slovakia, a defendant admits to killing
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The main trial with the people charged in the case of murdering investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová started on Monday in Slovakia.
Miroslav Marcek, one of four defendants in a trial related to the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee last year, admitted to the killing in court on Monday.
Two other defendants, including businessman Marian Kocner, who were charged with ordering the murder said they were innocent. One defendant did not make a statement at Monday’s hearing.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges against Marian Kocner, Tomas Szabo, Miroslav Marcek and Alena Zsuzsova on 21 October 2019.
Slovak entrepreneur Marian Kocner (C) arrives at the main trial concerning the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiance Martina Kusnirova in the Judicial Academy building in Pezinok, Slovakia, 13 January 2020. EPA-EFE/JAKUB GAVLAK
The indictment concerns six crimes, including two first-degree murders. Kusnirova and 27-year-old Kuciak were found dead in his house on 26 February 2018. They had both been shot.
Tomas Szabo (C) arrives at the opening of the main trial concerning the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiance Martina Kusnirova in the Judicial Academy building in Pezinok, Slovakia. EPA-EFE/JAKUB GAVLAK
In December, a Slovak court handed a 15-year prison sentence to a man charged with facilitating the murder of Kuciak in a plea deal with which Zoltan Andrusko became a witness.
Alena Zsuzsova (C) arrives at the main trial concerning the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiance Martina Kusnirova in the Judicial Academy building in Pezinok, Slovakia. EPA-EFE/JAKUB GAVLAK
The killing of Kuciak and his fiancee, both 27, at their home outside Bratislava in February 2018 sparked mass protests against corruption in the central European nation and lead to the fall of the government led by Robert Fico. The case will play a role in a parliamentary election due in February.
