Good evening. Here is theWednesday, February 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Prosecutors point out judges' needless extra work in Kuciak case
Marian Kočner during the trial in the case of the murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová. (source: Sme - Marko Erd)
Wednesday marks six years since the murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. Many people paid tribute to the couple around the country and abroad.
"First of all, I want to thank you for helping us in this fight for justice for our children," said Jozef Kuciak, the late journalist's father.
But the ruling coalition, including PM Robert Fico and Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini, who both hold top constitutional positions, decided to ignore the anniversary. They were also in power when the couple was killed in 2018.
The man many believe to have masterminded the killings, Marian Kočner, has been acquitted twice, but the Kuciak case may move to another phase this year. In the last couple of months, prosecutors have been preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court, and have come up with a new strategy to have Kočner convicted.
Opinion: "We'll never be silent." (a joint statement by editors-in-chief)
Gallery:Public gatherings marking the Kuciak anniversary were held in almost 40 towns across the country and abroad. Look at some of the pictures from Bratislava.
More stories from The Slovak Spectator website
Bratislava: New regulations on car entry to the historic centre of Bratislava are to be brought in.
Travel: Gold objects and an undeciphered inscription on display in Michalovce.
Slovak Matters: Tom Nicholson's first ball in Slovakia.
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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY
Four days in Bratislava, three in Amsterdam: A CEO for whom his job is an adventure
" It is almost inevitable to make mistakes if you want to grow," says ING Hubs Slovakia head Arnout Bloys van Treslong. (source: ING Hubs Slovakia)
ING Hubs Slovakia CEO Arnout Bloys van Treslong on running a service centre with more than a thousand workers, mistakes, and why the studied surgeon prefers ING to medicine.
EVENT FOR SATURDAY
Parov Stelar
Parov Stelar, one of Austria's most internationally successful artists, will play songs spanning his entire career, including hits, as well as some that have never been performed live, at Bratislava's Refinery Gallery this Saturday.
In other news
Slovakia has become part of a mine clearance coalition, the Defence Ministry announced. "The coalition will assist in clearing the territory of Ukraine of mines and explosives," said the ministry.
The publication of comprehensive legal amendments in the Collection of Laws takes several weeks, and is a standard process, Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) said in connection with the publication of the approved amendment to the Penal Code. Susko was unable to say when the new legislation will be published. The opposition claims that the government is delaying the publication of the new law on purpose. Without this step, the Constitutional Court might refuse to deal with the new Penal Code. The president and the opposition turned to the court earlier this week. The law is expected to become effective on March 15 unless the court suspends it prior to this date.
At its session on Wednesday, the government decided to extend the deadline for paying subsidies for providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees until the end of June, but reduced their amount. Currently, the subsidy amounted to €10 per night of accommodation provided to an adult refugee and €5 for accommodation provided to those under the age of 15. From now on, the contribution will be €5 per person per night regardless of their age.
The government withdrew its amendment to the Whistleblowers' Protection Act from parliament on Wednesday.
The initiative For a Decent Slovakia holds a public gathering in Bratislava on Wednesday, February 21, to mark the sixth anniversary of the killings of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Tomorrow will be cloudy, but warm. Daytime temperatures will range from 6°C to 14°C. (SHMÚ)
FEBRUARY 22 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Etela.
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