STS: Trial in Purgatory Case Starts, Charges Read Out to 11 Defendants

Banska Bystrica, 8 June (TASR) - The trial in the high-profile Purgatory case involving former top police and security forces officials suspected of setting up and operating a criminal group between 2012 and 2018 commenced at the Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica on Monday, with extensive lists of charges read out in the presence of defendants including Nitra-based businessman Norbert B., current House Vice-chair and former police chief (2012-18) Tibor G., former special prosecutor Dusan K. and former Financial Administration chief Frantisek I. Other defendants include high-ranking officials of the now-defunct National Crime Agency (NAKA) Peter H., Marian Z., Robert K., Bernard S., Milan M. and businessman Boris T. The list now also includes former police officer Roman S., who was previously charged in a different case, as during the first day of the trial on 11 May the hearing was adjourned due to a procedural motion requesting that the two cases should be joined, with the decision made at a closed-door session on 13 May. According to the indictment, the group was allegedly masterminded by Norbert B., and it's charged with setting up, orchestrating and supporting a criminal group, bribery and accepting bribes, and abusing public office. Several of the defendants have publicly denied the charges on multiple occasions. On Monday, the defendants refused to enter into a plea bargain. "I believe in justice and in a fair verdict, as I have until now," stated Dusan K. upon arriving at court, stressing that he would be glad to see the trial finally commencing. "I'm ready for it to begin. The main line of the indictment doesn't concern me. As for the part that does concern me, it's not based on true statements. I didn't commit the act, and even if it did happen, I didn't even know about it," said Frantisek I. before the trial. Defence lawyer Marek Para, who represents Tibor G., Norbert B., Marian Z., Milan M., and Robert K., said that they had been expecting the charges to be read out during the previous hearing. He added that they'll comment on the case later. jrg/df