The “Gorilla” corruption scandal is back in the spotlight

Three years after the launch of the investigation into the notorious "Gorilla" political corruption case, the police have admitted that most of the information in the leaked intelligence file that triggered the scandal is authentic, according to Marek Gajdoš, who leads the special investigation team entrusted with the case, cited by the daily SME. He confirmed that the police are planning to hear Prime Minister Robert Fico as a witness but further stated that he can't provide any further details given the nature of the facts associated with the file and the fact that the investigation is still open. The file entitled "Gorilla", leaked to the press in 2011, describes how during the government of former prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda (2002-2006) politicians and the owner of the private firm Penta decided on the privatisation of state companies and who was to receive top positions within them. The special investigation team began to deal with the case in January 2012. Penta has rejected any such statements, adding that the ongoing investigation has not confirmed the information included in the Gorilla file. "These are outraging statements unworthy of an investigator who honours the law", said Martin Skubla, a lawyer for Jaroslav Hašcak, the owner of Penta featured in the file.