USP Prosecutor Files Motion for Custody for Two Detained Lawyers

Bratislava, June 11 (TASR) - A prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor's Office (USP) has filed a motion with the Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok (Bratislava region) to remand in custody two lawyers from Bratislava identified only as Martin R. and Alexander F., TASR learnt from spokesman for the Prosecutor-General's Office Dalibor Skladan on the same day. "An USP prosecutor has filed a proposal to remand in custody the accused M.R. and A.F., namely in anti-collusive and preventive custody," added the spokesman. The two barristers were detained by the National Crime Agency (NAKA) on Thursday (June 10). "We won't provide any information on the matter in question based on the decision of the law enforcement bodies," Police Corps Presidium spokesperson Michal Slivka told TASR. Lawyers of the barristers Matej Marhavy and Peter Erdos said that the two are accused in one matter, namely of setting up, orchestrating and supporting a criminal group, blackmail and false testimony. The lawyers filed complaints against the resolution on bringing the charges. Martin R. was detained for the first time during a police operation nicknamed the Apache in October 2019, along with 13 people who were members of Bratislava-based 'Takacovci' gang. Facing charges of blackmail and instructing others to give false testimony, the lawyer was taken into custody on October 30, 2019, and the custody was later extended and reaffirmed even by the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Court in May ordered the Supreme Court to release Martin R. from custody without delay, citing violation of his fundamental right to personal freedom and awarded him compensation for legal fees worth €687.70. am/mcs