The disputed Five Star Residence (source: Sme - Jozef Jakubčo)
The well-known businessman Ladislav Bašternák is facing seven years in prison in the case of an unjustified VAT refund, the Denník N daily reported on April 10.
The Bratislava II District Court is dealing with the charge of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which cites the criminal offence of tax- and insurance premium evasion.
This involves a VAT payment to the company BL 202 for the purchase of apartments in the Five Star Residence complex. Judge Mária Szabóová will preside over the case, Denník N wrote, who was appointed as judge by President Andrej Kiska in 2015.
The court will conduct all initial acts in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code – i.e. delivery of the charge – according to Bratislava Regional Court spokesman Pavol Adamčiak.
Court to study the case
“While deciding in other criminal cases, the court’s senate will study the case file in this matter,” Adamčiak said. “Only after thoroughly studying the file, can the senate, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, determine further procedural steps in this criminal case.”
Bašternák, highly publicised for his ties to top politicians, may receive a prison sentence of somewhere between seven and 12 years, the daily reported.
