One of the 19 accused individuals that allegedly belong to the Bratislava-based organised crime group known as 'Piťovci' (so called in reference to their boss Juraj "Piťo" Ondrejčák), wants to make a plea bargain with the Prosecutor's Office.
The man, identified by police only as Peter M., announced his decision at the public session of the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok on Monday, July 8. If found guilty, all the men face more than 20 years in jail.
"We'll carry out the interrogation and, based on that, determine the next step," said the prosecutor. The decision of Peter M. came as a surprise for both the prosecutor as well as his advocate. When asked whether he plans to make a similar deal with the prosecutor and receive a lighter punishment in exchange for confession, 'Piťo' replied, as quoted by the TASR newswire: "Hell, no."
The 'Piťovci' face 19 charges, including the founding and operating of an organised criminal group, manufacture and distribution of illegal intoxicating substances, assault and battery, blackmail, unauthorised possession of firearms and trading with firearms. Juraj 'Piťo' Ondrejčák was caught in November 2011 during the biggest police crackdown in Slovak history, involving a pre-dawn raid with officers rappelling from a helicopter in a residential neighbourhood.
The Sme daily wrote in its Tuesday issue that the trial was adjourned to August.
(Source: TASR, Sme)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
