The main hearing in one of Slovakia's biggest corruption cases, known as Očistec, continued on Monday at the Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica. Eleven people are on trial, including parliament deputy speaker Tibor Gašpar (SMER-SD), several former senior police officials, businessman Norbert Bödör and former special prosecutor Dušan Kováčik.
Former National Criminal Agency (NAKA) financial unit chief Bernard Slobodník, a cooperating defendant, gave the first major testimony. He told the court he had never been pressured or instructed by anyone when making his previous statements.
According to his lawyer, Ján Dulovič, Slobodník's testimony began by describing the alleged structure and operation of the criminal group. He has so far addressed only one of the 20 acts listed in the indictment, suggesting his testimony could continue for some time. Dulovič says his client's statements have been consistent and truthful. Tibor Gašpar's defence lawyer, Marek Para, has criticised the testimony, arguing that much of it goes beyond the scope of the indictment.
The prosecution alleges that a group centred around Norbert Bödör infiltrated the police and other state institutions between 2012 and 2018, committing corruption, abuse of office and organised crime. Prosecutor Bohdan Čeľovský says the most serious allegation is the group's infiltration of the police. He has also asked the court to hear several witnesses in person, including businessman Marián Kočner, entrepreneur Juraj Široký and former president Andrej Kiska. The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday and Thursday.
Source: STVR
