RSF: The most important thing is the arrest of the masterminds

International press organisations welcome the progress in the investigation of the Kuciak and Kušnírová murders, but hope it will continue.

Police carried out an operation in Kolárovo (Nitra Region).Police carried out an operation in Kolárovo (Nitra Region). (Source: TASR)

International press organisations have already responded to the September 27 reports concerning the detention of eight people suspected of murdering investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Reporters without Borders (RSF) welcomed the breakthrough in the investigation, seven months after the murders, but hopes that these arrests are a first step.

Read also: We need to know who ordered the murder Read more 

“The most important thing is the arrest of the masterminds,” Pauline Adès-Mevel, RSF’s head of the EU-Balkans desk, told The Slovak Spectator, adding that as in the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia almost a year ago, there is a need for full justice. “Press freedom, as a core human right, is grounded in the safety of journalists, and justice for crimes against them.”

SkryťTurn off ads

Journalists working to expose corruption and money laundering are vital to the anti-corruption movement and any attacks on them undermine democracy and the rule of law, Adès-Mevel added.

“So today RSF renews its call for full justice for the murder of Ján Kuciak,” she said.

IPI welcomes the progress

Impunity from prosecution for the murder of a journalist is unacceptable, so any progress towards solving the murders of Kuciak and Kušnírová is welcome news, Scott Griffen of the International Press Institute (IPI) commented for the Sme daily.

Read also: This is a test of how the state works Read more 

“But it is important to remember that justice for Ján and Martina is not only about detaining the person or people who pulled the trigger,” Griffen added, as quoted by Sme. “It is also about finding those behind the murder.”

SkryťTurn off ads

The authorities of the world focus more on the executors of a murder, while the ordering parties often remain out of prison.

“We hope Slovakia will not follow this example,” Griffen added.

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad