The second attempt to open the main trial in the Očistec (Purgatory) case continues on Monday at the Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica. Nearly five years after the indictment was filed, a dozen defendants are facing trial, including former Police Corps president and current Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tibor Gašpar. The case is one of the largest involving alleged police misconduct in Slovakia.
In December 2021, a prosecutor from the former Special Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment with the Specialized Criminal Court covering a total of 20 counts. The start of the trial was initially delayed by challenges to the judges’ impartiality filed by the defendants. After those objections were resolved, the court was set to begin hearing the case in May 2026. Ultimately, however, it decided to add another indictment, this time involving former police officer Roman Stahl.
Also facing charges is Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tibor Gašpar of SMER-SD, who is awaiting a parliamentary vote on his dismissal in connection with the Očistec case. PS MP Zuzana Mesterová says she expects a fair trial free from political interference. Speaking on a Slovak Television discussion programme, she argued that amendments to the Criminal Code would benefit Gašpar.
“If a public official abuses his authority, he no longer faces imprisonment; he faces only a suspended sentence. In the Swan case, involving a bribe of nearly €90,000, he now faces four to nine years in prison, which means a suspended sentence is also possible. Four other offences are now time-barred due to amendments to the Criminal Code,” said Mesterová.
However, SMER-SD MP Ján Mažgút points to the presumption of innocence: “The presumption of innocence may ultimately result in his acquittal. If, as you said, Tibor Gašpar faces different penalties as a result of amendments to the Criminal Code, then Marta Šimečková faces different consequences as well. Unlike Tibor Gašpar, Marta Šimečková is subject to enforcement mechanisms of the European Union.”
Marta Šimečková is the mother of Michal Šimečka, leader of the largest opposition party, PS. A government audit into the use of public subsidies identified shortcomings at Projekt Fórum, an organisation linked to Marta Šimečková. Police launched a criminal investigation in March on suspicion of subsidy fraud. Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) said in April that the alleged damage was approaching €140,000. Michal Šimečka has described the case involving his mother as clear evidence of an intelligence operation politically directed by the prime minister.
But back to the Očistec case that started this Monday. According to the court schedule, a total of 32 hearing dates have been set for what is considered Slovakia’s largest alleged police misconduct case, with proceedings scheduled through February 2027.
Source: STVR
