Convicted: court sends former ministers to prison

The Special Criminal Court in Pezinok today handed down prison sentences to former ministers of the Slovak National Party, Marián J. and Igor Š. The case dates back to 2007 when the then Ministry of Construction published a lucrative tender announcement worth €120 million, however it was only visible on one wall inside the ministry behind closed doors, making it impossible for competing companies to know about the tender. When the case became public, the contract was cancelled by the state, although at that point two private companies had already received €12 million. Former Minister of Construction, Marian J. has today received a prison sentence of 12 years, a fine of €30,000 and a five year ban on working in the public sector. The successor to the post, Igor Š. has received the same ban on holding a public position, along with a prison sentence of nine years and a fine of €30,000. The remaining three defendants Zdenek K., Radoslav B., and Tomas L. were acquitted of the indictment.