Alleged East Slovakia Mafia Boss Receives Life Sentence

Pezinok, August 9 (TASR) – The Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok (Bratislava region) on Tuesday handed a life sentence to reputed boss of the east Slovak underworld Robert O. and two of his henchmen – Robert N. and Jaroslav P.

Another 13 people in the dock received sentences of between 3.5-25 years.

Individual defendants were convicted of several crimes, including setting up, organising and supporting a criminal and terrorist group, several murders, illegal possession of weapons, robbery, blackmail, larceny and damaging the property of others.

According to the court, it was difficult to collect evidence against the accused, as they were masked when carrying out their crimes. “It can only be revealed when someone begins talking,” said the senate of judges chairman, adding that many of the aforementioned crimes were carried out in an especially brutal manner. Key testimony was allegedly provided by a crown witness.

The original indictment was presented in April 2007, and the proceedings have featured around 130 court sessions so far. Further ones are likely to follow, however, as Robert O. and Robert N. have appealed against the verdicts.