Specialised Criminal Court: Daniel B., Accused of Extremism, Remains in Custody

Pezinok, 30 January (TASR) - The Specialised Criminal Court (STS) in Pezinok (Bratislava region) ruled on Friday that Daniel B. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], who is accused of several extremist crimes, will remain in custody. According to the court, the reasons for custody continue to exist. The court also decided that there is no guarantee that the purpose of custody could be served by anything else than maintaining it. Although the defendant filed an appeal against the decision to keep him in custody, lawyer David Lindtner told the media that they are considering withdrawing it, as the senate of the Supreme Court that is to decide on the appeal is biased. "We're preparing a constitutional appeal so that the Constitutional Court can assess whether they can act as impartial judges in this case," said Lindtner. The court also scrapped next Tuesday's (3 February) main hearing and postponed it to 23 February and 11 March. Further documentary evidence is to be presented. The indictment was filed by a prosecutor concerning 26 actions described in 12 separate extremism-related counts, such as expressing sympathy for a movement aimed at suppressing fundamental rights and freedoms, distributing extremist materials, inciting national, racial and ethnic hatred, and dangerous electronic harassment committed out of hatred towards individuals based on nationality, religion or sexual orientation. The defendant allegedly committed these actions by sharing certain posts online via communication platforms. Daniel B., who had previously been the subject of three arrest warrants, was extradited from the United Kingdom to Slovakia under strict security measures at the end of January 2025. In late April of last year the Supreme Court remanded him in custody due to concerns that he might continue his criminal activities. am/df