Court: Prosecution for Slander against MP Igor M. Dropped
Bratislava, March 2 (TASR) – Bratislava I District Court has halted a criminal prosecution for slander against Opposition MP Igor M. [Slovak legislation doesn’t allow the authorities to provide the full name – ed. note], as the act in question was not a crime and there is no reason to continue the case, TASR learnt from the court’s spokesperson Pavol Adamciak on Friday.
After examining the dossier, the court concluded that the characteristics of the crime as stated in the Criminal Code didn’t apply. In the decision-making process the court also took into consideration the relevant approach of the European Court of Human Rights.
Adamciak further told TASR that the ruling isn’t yet valid, meaning that both the defendant and prosecutor can file an appeal within three days.
The MP responded to the court’s decision by saying that he’s glad that at least the courts have maintained their independence. “The police and the Prosecutor’s Office tried to engage in a surplus of labour. I’m glad that at least the courts have observed common sense,” said Igor M.
Bratislava Regional Prosecutor’s Office proposed pressing charges against Igor M. for slandering Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) last September.
In 2015, Igor M. posted information on his social network website received from an anonymous source. This stated that Fico and his spouse founded a letterbox company in Belize and had $674 million (€575 million) deposited in two bank accounts. Fico rejected this as nonsense. Verifying the matter via their financial intelligence unit in Belize, the police discovered that neither Fico, nor his wife have ever had any personal or business accounts in Belize.
