The retrial in the murder case of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová is continuing at the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok. Key witness Zoltán Andruskó, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for arranging the killing, again testified against defendant Alena Zs.
He told the court she had also discussed possible contracts to murder several prosecutors, although those plans were never carried out. Andruskó claimed she pressured him over criminal activities and payments, and alleged there were claims of political and police protection linked to the case. He also said he believed businessman Marian K. was the main person behind the murder, adding that the original plan had been for the journalist’s body to disappear to avoid detection.
Andruskó also described how money was allegedly handed over for the killing. Defence lawyers continue to challenge his credibility, arguing that his testimony has changed over time. Questioning in the retrial is expected to continue on Tuesday.
The case regarding the February 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, returned to the Specialized Criminal Court for a third time after Slovakia’s Supreme Court overturned the previous two verdicts. Gunmen Miroslav Marček and Tomáš Szabó were earlier sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Zoltán Andruskó received 15 years. Separate charges linked to alleged plans to murder prosecutors also involve Marian K. and Alena Zs., along with Dušan K. and Darko D. According to prosecutors, planned targets included Maroš Žilinka, Daniel Lipšic and Peter Šufliarsky, but the murders were never carried out. Tomáš Szabó was convicted in 2022 after admitting involvement in the preparations.
Source: TASR
