ANOTHER person accused of corruption in relation to the construction of a biathlon stadium in Osrblie, Banská Bystrica Region, has been released from custody. Martin Novotný was freed after the Supreme Court decided that he would not attempt to influence witnesses, the SITA newswire reported on October 26.
Novotný, a former adviser to Prime Minister Iveta Radičová, was released after the Supreme Court ruled that there was no reason for the Specialised Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica not to continue its prosecution while he remained outside of custody. According to the judges, although Novotný communicated with one of the witnesses he did not try to influence her.
Novotný has been charged with indirect corruption and faces up to three years in prison if convicted.
Pavol P., another man accused in the case, which is being brought over an alleged bribe of €30,000 paid out of a government grant to finish reconstruction of the biathlon stadium, has been released as well, but the third suspect, Slovakia’s former ambassador to Kenya Igor Líška, remains in prison. In September a request by Líška to be freed on bail of €30,000 was rejected.
