Slovak terrorist wins human rights case; receives compensation

Slovakia's first terrorist, Ladislav Kuc, has been awarded several thousand euro from the Slovak state following his successful complaint to the European Court of Human Rights. He complained about the length of his prison sentence and also its reasoning. This was announced by the court via its website. In 2011, Kuc planted a nail-bomb in a rubbish bin outside a McDonalds restaurant in Košice where a celebration had just taken place. His motive for the failed attack was given as being in support of animal rights. Although Slovak courts first labelled Kuc as a terrorist, the Supreme Court later annulled their judgements. The defence counsellor also objected that the Slovak authorities did not take his psychological condition into account. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg yesterday awarded Kuc €6,500 in damages and €9,000 to cover expenses for the proceedings; far below what Kuc initially demanded. Despite his human rights victory, Kuc's case remains open in the Slovak courts. In June 2013 he was sentenced to 25-years in prison as a terrorist, however he successfully appealed the verdict, with the Regional Court in Košice cancelling the judgment and returning the case to the district court. Last September, the District Court gave Kuc a 23.5 year prison sentence, to which he appealed once again. The matter is still not closed.