Kuciak Murder Case: Alena Zs' Appeal against Custody Rejected by Court

Bratislava, November 20 (TASR) - The Supreme Court Senate has rejected an appeal by Alena Zs. and Tomas Sz. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons] against the decision to extend their custody in the case of the double murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova, TASR learnt from court spokesperson Alexandra Vazanova on Wednesday. The senate fully embraced the decision handed down by the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok (Bratislava region), according to which the reasons for custody still apply. Of the trio of defendants, Miroslav M. was the only one who didn't file an appeal against the extension of his custody. He's cooperating with the police and pleading guilty to the murders. The Specialised Criminal Court decided last week to extend custody for Alena Zs., Tomas Sz, and Martin M. Also charged with ordering the murder is entrepreneur Marian K, who is in custody for allegedly counterfeiting promissory notes worth €70 million against TV Markiza and for obstructing justice. According to the prosecution, Marian K. ordered the hit on Jan Kuciak in late 2017 or early 2018 to exact vengeance for Kuciak's articles exposing his criminal activities. Miroslav M. and Tomas Sz. are facing charges of murdering businessman Peter Molnar in 2016 as well. Apart from the murders, Miroslav M., Tomas Sz., and Marian K. are being prosecuted for the illegal possession of a firearm. mf/df