Police officers during Operation Funeral at the public cemetery in Košice. (source: Korzár/Lenka Haniková)
The Specialised Criminal Court has ordered the detention of four suspects accused of involvement in a violent organised crime group operating in the country’s east. The case – known as Operation ‘Funeral’ – has drawn widespread attention with allegations of arson, extortion and attempts to seize control of high-value business assets, according to The Slovak Spectator’s partner Korzár.
At the centre of the case is Róbert Juraj Paulinský, a 27-year-old Košice-based businessman and former member of the ruling Smer party. He is accused of founding and leading the group and faces a potential sentence of 20 to 25 years or life imprisonment. Alongside him, Ladislav H., Ondrej K. (a former police officer) and Vladimír Š. were remanded in custody on Thursday evening. Three others – Paulinský’s parents and Martin B. – were released from detention and will be prosecuted while at liberty. Štefan C. and Ivan K. had already been released earlier in the week.
In total, nine individuals – eight men and one woman – have been charged. The case follows a major police operation launched early on Monday morning, involving 426 officers across Košice, Bratislava and several other towns and villages in eastern Slovakia. Authorities detained 18 people, including four police officers. One of those charged remains a serving officer.
