Specialised Criminal Court Acquits Ex-SIS Head Vladimir P. of Charges

Banska Bystrica, 16 June (TASR) - The Specialised Criminal Court (STS) in Banska Bystrica acquitted ex-director of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) Vladimir P. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons] of the charges against him on Monday. Vladimir P. faced charges of receiving a bribe, misusing the powers of a public official and endangering classified information. The verdict isn't yet final. Although it has been proven that some money was handed over, it hasn't been unambiguously proven that the defendant participated in this and that he received the money, said the judge. Prosecutor Peter Kysel proposed a prison sentence of six to seven years for Vladimir P., a fine amounting to €50,000 and a ban on serving in public posts. Vladimir P. in his final speech claimed that he isn't guilty, that the act in question didn't take place and that he didn't commit any crime. He asked the court for acquittal and for justice after four years of injustice. According to him, the witnesses lied and contradicted each other in their testimonies. They were changing their testimonies only to get out of custody or receive benefits. According to the indictment, the ex-SIS director received a bribe from businessman and bankruptcy lawyer Zoroslav Kollar in exchange for terminating Kollar's surveillance by SIS. The bankruptcy lawyer has concluded a plea bargain in this corruption case. ko/df