Court in Kuciak murder case: witness statement reading continues, telephone call to be played in September
The Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok continued on Wednesday with reading witness statements in the case of the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak. In September they plan to play a recording of a telephone conversation between defendant Marián K. and Kuciak.
Kuciak case in court: witness statements and planned telephone recording
The main hearing in the case of the contract killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and in the case of preparation of murders of prosecutors continued on Wednesday 26 August at the Specialised Criminal Court (ŠTS) in Pezinok. Nový Čas reports that the day's programme consisted of reading previous witness statements — of the defendants, only Dušan K. was present in the courtroom.
Court partially granted Dušan K.'s request
The chair of the ŠTS senate, Miroslav Mazúch, announced that the court partially granted Dušan K.'s application and rescinded his obligation to report regularly at a specified time to the probation and mediation officer. Other conditions of detention replacement remain in force: written undertaking, supervision by a probation officer and two prohibitions — entry into facilities operating gambling games and participation in such games.
Mazúch emphasised that the defendant is at this stage of proceedings reasonably suspected of committing the prosecuted criminal activity and the grounds for preventative detention continue to exist. "There is concern that the defendant could continue to commit similar criminal activity," stated the chair of the senate, whilst noting that this is not a decision on guilt. Dušan K. waived his right to lodge a complaint.
Statements from a mother, barmen and a doctor
At the hearing they read a statement from the mother of defendant Zoltán A., who stated that she knows nothing of any possible criminal activity by her son. She pointed out that her son spent most of his time in the pizzeria which he operated and had several debts. Statements were also included from former barmen from the golf facility in Báči in Dunajská Streda district.
A doctor who carried out an examination of the bodies of the murdered journalist and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, testified that in his assessment it would not have been possible for Kušnírová to be shot from behind in the way police officers present at the crime scene allegedly told him — since she fell onto her back and there was a cupboard behind her. The brother of the murdered woman described to investigators the circumstances of the handover of a mobile telephone which his sister had previously used.
Kuciak's telephone call with Marián K. to be played in September
The chair of the senate Mazúch announced that at the September hearing the court will play a telephone conversation between defendant Marián K. and Ján Kuciak from September 2017. Also planned is the playing of a press conference at which Kuciak put questions to Marián K. The next hearing date is set for 7 September.
Background to the case
The murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová took place in February 2018 in Veľká Mača in Galanta district. For contract killing, the pair Marián K. and Alena Zs. face charges. The Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic quashed the previous two judgements, so the case has come before the ŠTS for the third time. The perpetrators of the murder Miroslav Marček and Tomáš Szabó received 25-year unconditional sentences, intermediary Zoltán Andruskó 15 years unconditionally.
In a separate case concerning preparation of murders of prosecutors — specifically Maroš Žilinka and Daniel Lipšic (autumn 2017) and Peter Šufliarski (2018) — besides Marián K. and Alena Zs., Dušan K. and Darko D. also face charges. The planned murders were not carried out. Tomáš Szabó, who admitted to the preparation of the murders, has been finally convicted since 2022.
Source: Nový Čas