Prosecutor General uncovers serious failures in Gelnice teacher murder case
Maroš Žilinka announced that a review of criminal proceedings preceding the death of a teacher revealed serious failings by investigators and prosecutors.
Prosecutor General uncovers serious failures in Gelnice teacher murder case
Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka announced that a review of criminal proceedings preceding the death of teacher Zuzana Vargová uncovered serious failings by investigators and prosecutors.
Zuzana Vargová died on 20 June in Gelnice following an attack by her husband Tomáš Varga. She had previously been a victim of domestic violence. Her husband was sentenced to eight months conditionally for dangerous threats and subsequently released.
According to Žilinka, the case should have been handled differently from the outset. The authorities involved in criminal proceedings had allegedly miscategorised the abuse as dangerous threats rather than the more serious crime of abuse of a close person. The difference in sentencing is marked – dangerous threats carry a penalty of six months to three years' imprisonment, whilst abuse of a close person carries three to eight years, or more in aggravating circumstances.
The review also found that investigators had inadequately evaluated information available to them at the time. The teacher had allegedly described months of abuse including psychological pressure, physical attacks, destruction of personal belongings and incidents involving her daughter. She had allegedly provided police with a burned note that she had kept "in case anything happened to her".
Žilinka stated that the investigation had not adequately examined key questions including witness interviews and expert reports. He also criticised the manner in which police questioned the victim. "Her spontaneous statement was not admitted and questions were posed in an inappropriate and victimising manner," he wrote.
The prosecutor also pointed out that the case had not been overseen by a domestic violence specialist, although such experts exist in the prosecutor's office. He also criticised insufficient coordination regarding the alleged impact on the couple's minor daughter.
"We cannot tolerate such serious failings," Žilinka declared, and ordered the regional prosecutor in Košice to take corrective measures and assess the responsibility of the prosecutors involved.
Police rejected claims that officers had failed. They maintained that the victim's interviews were conducted in accordance with procedures for domestic violence cases and were recorded on video. "The result of this careful approach by officers was that the perpetrator was taken into custody and the risk of harm to the victim's life was eliminated," police stated.
Justice Minister Boris Susko confirmed that the identified failings must have consequences. He also emphasised the need for systemic changes. "Our ambition is not merely to uncover individual errors. It is equally important to take measures to ensure that a similar tragedy never happens again," he said. However, he had previously rejected systemic failure and suggested blame of the victim by stating that when requesting a protective order she had turned to the wrong court.
Source: The Slovak Spectator
Source: The Slovak Spectator