JOZEF Majský, described as the richest man in Slovakia, was released from custody on July 30 for the second time in one week. He had been held in pre-trail custody accused of setting up an organised crime group during the collapse last year of unlicensed deposit companies Horizont and BMG Invest, in which thousands of Slovaks lost their savings.
Majský was held in pre-trial custody for eight months but was released on June 21 after Košice judge Jan Poprocký ruled there were no longer reasons to keep Majský in custody.
A few days later, however, police re-arrested Majský after prosecutors collected evidence that via third persons the businessman had attempted to influence witnesses to change their testimony in his favour.
Majský was held in custody for 72 hours but Poprocký, who found the evidence against Majský insufficient, ordered the businessman released again.
The Košice prosecutor who is investigating the case has challenged the ruling and also accused Poprocký of bias. Košice regional court is expected give its ruling by July 3.
7. Jul 2003 at 0:00 | From press reports
