THE COURT could change the verdict that sentenced the man found guilty of terrorism to 25 years in prison for blowing up a rubbish bin close to a McDonalds’ fast food branch in Košice. Since two psychiatrists have different opinion than their colleagues, claiming that 33-year-old Ladislav K. could not control his behaviour, it is possible he will be placed into a mental hospital, the Sme daily reported in its December 6 issue.
An extremist animal-rights supporter and a Košice native, Ladislav K. became the first individual in Slovakia to be found guilty of terrorism on May 19, 2013. He immediately appealed against the verdict. According to the original sentence, Ladislav K. carried out a bomb attack against a Košice fast-food restaurant. He was also found guilty of manufacturing explosives, unlawful possession of firearms, blackmail and intimidation.
On December 28, 2011, he planted and detonated a homemade bomb in a rubbish bin outside the restaurant. There were no fatalities or injuries, although the explosion caused property damage. According to the verdict, Ladislav K. committed the deed “in an effort to gravely intimidate the public and force the state government to adopt measures restricting the killing of animals”.
The Košice Regional Court however overturned the verdict of the first-instance court on October 30. According to the verdict, as reported by Sme, the higher-instance court questioned the expert opinions and evaluation. The defence said that Ladislav K. is mentally ill, which is supported by the latest testimony of two psychiatrists who diagnosed him as showing signs of schizophrenia, Sme wrote.
The previous expert opinion however states that Ladislav K. could control his behaviour and understood that what he was doing was a crime.
The Regional Court has now asked the expert institute to investigate the two opinions, Sme wrote.
Source: Sme
For more information about this story please see: Regional Court negates Slovakia’s first ever terrorism conviction
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
