THE PROSECUTOR of the Bratislava II District Prosecutor’s Office dropped charges against journalist Júlia Mikolášiková using the pseudonym Piraňa [Piranha] for alleged libel on December 19, according to Medialne.sk.
Ivan Ševčík, a former police officer in the Office for Fight against Organised Crime (ÚBOK) filed a criminal complaint against her for a story published in October 2012 quoting statements, made by Jozef Drag during his trial, who is connected with the so-called “housing mafia”, which also involved Ševčík. Among other things, Drag claimed that he was the agent for criminal intelligence and Ševčík knew about his role, the Sme daily reported on December 2.
Ševčík told the investigator that he did not have exact information about the housing mafia nor Drag’s criminal activities. He also said that he does not know Drag personally and his statements are not true, according to Nový Čas.
Mikolášiková said that she described what was said at a public session by Drag about Ševčík in her story.
“Every citizen has the right to search, receive and spread information obtained at public sessions of state bodies,” she said in a press release of the International Press Institute (IPI).
She added that the publisher bears the responsibility for the story as it determines publication.
“The publisher decides about publishing of any article and it is responsible for published content,” Mikolášiková said in IPI press release.
The prosecutor Martin Pacalaj agreed Mikolášiková and dropped the charge.
Source: Medialne.sk
Compiled by Roman Cuprik from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
