28. April 2022 at 11:19

Witnesses, encrypted messages and secret recordings. What the charges against Fico are based on

Former prime minister and interior minister face organised crime charges.

Roman Cuprik

Editorial

Smer leader Robert Fico Smer leader Robert Fico (source: Sme - Marko Erd)
Font size: A - | A +

Sworn testimonies from four top former law enforcement and tax officials, decrypted messages from the encrypted Threema application found on the phone of convicted mobster Marian Kočner, and recordings from secret meetings held at a secluded hunting cabin.

SkryťTurn off ads
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

These are some of the main pieces of evidence that were gathered by police before they decided to charge three-time former prime minister Robert Fico and three-time former interior minister Robert Kaliňák, both of the Smer party. Both men last held ministerial office in 2018.

Kaliňák was arrested during an April 20 police raid as part of an operation codenamed Twilight. Fico, who is a sitting MP, can only be arrested if parliament approves a prosecutor's request to take him into custody.

Police also arrested and charged lawyer Marek Para, as part of the so-called Caiaphas case. Para is a high-profile defence lawyer who has acted for Kočner and for Norbert Bödör, a Nitra-based businessman who is also named in the case file.

SkryťTurn off ads
Many findings but few convictions: Kuciak-related investigations are progressing slowly
Related article
Many findings but few convictions: Kuciak-related investigations are progressing slowly

The Slovak Spectator has analysed the written charges against Fico and Kaliňák. The document comprises 108 pages.

Police allege organised crime

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription -  Sign in

Subscription provides you with:

  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk

  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)

  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you

  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

SkryťClose ad