The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a lower court decision acquitting Banská Bystrica reputed underworld boss Mikuláš Černák of kidnapping and murdering Polish businessman Grzegor Szymanek. Černák, who turned himself in to police in December 1997 after a nation-wide arrest warrant for him was issued, remains in jail serving an 8.5-year sentence for extortion, but could be freed as early as May 2003. Černák was originally convicted of the murder in 2000, but that verdict was quashed on appeal after a witness changed his testimony and another witness was murdered.
Compiled by Tom Nicholson from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
