National Bank of Slovakia Governor Peter Kažimír is guilty of corruption following a decision made by Specialised Criminal Court Judge Milan Cisarik.
In his early April penal order, the judge fined the governor €100,000. The judge also verified that Kažimír would receive a two-year prison sentence if the financial punishment is thwarted on purpose.
Kažimír has said he is innocent.
"I have not committed any crime and I have no doubts that I will defend myself before the judge at the main hearing or before the appeal courts in Slovakia or Europe," the central bank governor said on Thursday.
Kažimír is a former finance minister. He served under the previous Smer-led governments from 2012 to 2019, when he was appointed the governor by then Slovak president Andrej Kiska. Closed and ongoing criminal investigations have revealed how bribes and mafia-like practices took over the former Smer governments led by Robert Fico.
On Thursday, most politicians called on the governor to resign.
