Slovakia’s police have announced that they have charged a suspect with ordering the murder of an investigative reporter Ján Kuciak and his partner, Martina Kušnírová in a case that brought down the Slovak government.
The Slovak Spectator identified the suspect as local businessman Marian Kočner. Kočner is currently in custody in Banská Bystrica. He was detained in connection with suspicions of committing an economic crime
Ján Kuciak and his partner, Martina Kušnírová were killed at their home on 21 February last year. Slovak authorities believe it was a contract killing linked to Kuciak’s work. He was investigating possible government corruption and ties between politicians and Italian mobsters.
Four suspects have been charged but the mastermind was believed to be still at large.
The killings triggered major street protests and a political crisis that led to the dismissal of the national police chief and the government’s collapse.
