Marian Kočner (source: SME)
One of the proofs used for bringing the charges against controversial businessman Marian Kočner for ordering the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, is reportedly a text message communication with an influential businessman. The information was obtained by the private broadcaster TV Markíza.
Meanwhile, the Denník N daily informed that Kočner sent a vulgar text message about eliminating an unnamed man to the co-owner of the Penta financial group, Jaroslav Haščák. The communication allegedly happened on January 17, 2018, i.e. one month before Kuciak was murdered together with his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, according to the daily.
Haščák has not denied the communication, but says he does not remember it. However, he has denied the claims that it was about Kuciak.
“Haščák is 100-percent sure that he has not talked or communicated in any other way with Kočner about Ján Kuciak,” Martin Danko, external relations manager of Penta, told the Sme daily. “If the text message is real, it has no connection with Kočner’s activities concerning Ján Kuciak.”
When asked whether Haščák had been heard in connection with the murder, Danko replied “no”.
Connection with Peter Tóth
The investigators revealed the connection with Penta at the time ex-journalist and former agent of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) intelligence agency Peter Tóth was interrogated.
They, for example, have a conversation between Tóth and Danko that happened only a few days after the police detained a group of people from Kolárovo (Nitra Region) who now stand accused in the Kuciak case, Sme wrote.
At the time, Kočner was already in custody due to the suspicion of falsifying promissory notes concerning the private broadcaster TV Markíza.
Disclaimer: The Penta financial group has a minority share in Petit Press, the co-owner of The Slovak Spectator.
