Marian Kotleba in the court. (source: TASR)
The trial featuring Marian Kotleba, chair of the far-right Kotlebovci – People’s Party Our Slovakia (ĽSNS), ended sooner than it actually started.
The Specialised Criminal Court postponed the proceeding concerning the controversial cheques worth €1,488 after only 45 minutes, following Kotleba’s request, the Sme daily reported.
It will continue in early March, only a few days after the parliamentary election. ĽSNS is currently the second strongest party in Slovakia, as several polls suggest. Some also say the party may win the vote.
A stricter classification of crime
Kotleba explained his request to postpone the proceeding with a warning of Judge Ružena Sabová, who said that the punishment for the deed may be stricter than proposed in the motion since the court could take into consideration a different classification of the crime.
Kotleba is charged with taking a liking to the movements aimed at repressing fundamental rights and freedoms. However, the deed can be classified also as a promotion of the movements aimed at repressing fundamental rights and freedoms, according to Sabová.
