Slovak Prime Minister Criticizes Judge for Conviction of Central Bank Chief; accusations of political bias against investigating judges and prosecutors in Slovakia persist.
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has leveled criticism towards Judge Milan Cisarik, who recently convicted Peter Kažimír, the governor of the country's central bank, in a corruption case.
In response to the conviction of his former finance minister, Fico implied on Friday that the verdict was politically motivated, suggesting an investigation into Cisarik for potential criminal acts. Since his return to power in 2023, Fico has dismantled anti-corruption agencies established during his previous terms in office between 2012 and 2020.
Kažimír was found guilty and fined €200,000 ($226,500) on Thursday for bribing a tax official during his tenure as finance minister under Fico's previous government. He has since denied any wrongdoing, claiming the charges were fabricated, and plans to appeal.
Fico questioned the verdict's intention, stating that even a law student would find it senseless. He raised concerns about the possibility of criminal activity by the judge and the ulterior motives behind the ruling.
The court did not respond to Fico's comments, and the For Open Justice NGO expressed concern about potential political pressure on the judiciary through public statements made by government members.
Judge Cisarik's allegations of criminal acts have not been investigated, and the status of any potential inquiry is not currently known. Kaжimír's term at the National Bank of Slovakia ends on June 1 but will continue until a replacement is appointed.
This case comes amid a broader context. Fico fell from power in 2020 due to a scandal involving the 2018 assassination of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak. The new government subsequently set up corruption investigation units, which Fico often accused of political bias. On reclaiming power in late 2023, he began dismantling these units and amending the criminal code to reduce penalties for corruption.
[1] Source: SpecificCourtVerdict[2] Source: KažimírCorruptionTrial
- The breaking news about Judge Milan Cisarik's conviction of Peter Kažimír, the governor of Slovakia's central bank, has sparked a political row, with Prime Minister Robert Fico questioning the verdict's intention and suggesting an investigation into potential criminal acts by the judge.
- Amid the ongoing corruption trial of Kažimír, concerns about political pressure on the judiciary have been raised, with the For Open Justice NGO expressing worry over public statements made by government members that could influence the court's decisions.
- As the general news covers the corruption case, it is important to note the broader context of Slovakia's business and policy-and-legislation landscape, where Fico has dismantled anti-corruption agencies and amended the criminal code to reduce penalties for corruption since returning to power in 2023.
