Justice Minister Boris Susko has appealed the conviction of former special prosecutor Dušan Kováčik and ordered his prison sentence to be suspended until the Supreme Court decides on the appeal. Kováčik was released from prison on Wednesday afternoon. Susko filed the appeal based on the defense lawyer’s motion, which he deemed well-founded, claiming that the initial court proceedings violated Kováčik’s right to a fair trial due to incorrect factual determinations.
"I am convinced that in the case of Dusan Kováčik, the provisions designed to ensure the clarification of the case were seriously violated during the establishment of the facts," the minister said. "The appeal, as well as the suspension or postponement of the execution of the decision, are standard institutions of our legal system, which have been granted to the minister by the legal system for many years," Susko pointed out, adding that he wants to ensure Kováčik's right to a fair trial.
Prime Minister Robert Fico supported Susko's decision, labeling the Kováčik case as a "rigged show-trial" aimed at removing Kováčik and benefiting political allies of former Prime Minister Igor Matovič. Fico emphasized that the justice minister has the authority to release a convicted person if an appeal is filed.
Opposition parties criticized Susko's actions, accusing the government of protecting criminals and ensuring impunity for its affiliates. Progresívne Slovensko (PS) condemned Kováčik as a symbol of corruption and incompetence, asserting that Fico’s decision sends a message of preferential treatment to those close to the Smer-SD party.
SOURCE: TASR
