Top Prosecutor Zilinka: Justice Must Be Done in Murdered Journalist's Case

Bratislava, 21 February (TASR) - Justice must be achieved in the case of the murders of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova from eight years ago, as it is essential for society as a whole, Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka posted on social media on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the murder on Saturday. "Today we commemorate the eighth anniversary of the murders of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova. A tragic event that fundamentally shook society, but above all deeply affected the lives of the families of both young people. The question therefore arises whether, after repeated court proceedings, there is hope of achieving justice. My answer, as someone who was supposed to be the first target, is: I believe it will happen and it must happen. It is necessary not only for society as a whole, but especially for the parents who have lost what was most precious to them," Zilinka said. Journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova were murdered on 21 February 2018 in their family home in Velka Maca in the Galanta district. Three verdicts in the case are final. The perpetrators of the murders, Miroslav Marcek and Tomas Szabo, were previously sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Zoltan Andruskó received a 15-year prison sentence. In the case concerning the ordering of the murder, Marian K. and Alena Zs. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons] face charges. The previous two verdicts were overturned by the Supreme Court. The case has therefore returned for the third time to the Specialized Criminal Court. mf