Expert Opinion: TV Markiza-related Promissory Notes Not Authentic

Expert Opinion: TV Markiza-related Promissory Notes Not Authentic
Bratislava, November 15 (TASR) – The promissory notes concerning TV Markiza aren’t authentic, as, based on a request from the National Crime Agency (NAKA), a renowned graphologist has concluded that the signatures of former TV Markiza boss for legal reasons identified only as Pavol R. on the promissory notes are not from the year 2000, meaning that the promissory notes weren’t created as Pavol R. and entrepreneur Marian K. assert, TASR has learnt from TV Markiza’s media representative Peter Papanek.

According to Papanek, an independent expert opinion showed that the signatures of the issuer and guarantor were the work of Pavol R. and that the signatures weren’t penned on June 11, 2000 but after 2013. “The expert opinion took into account the fact that Pavol R.’s signature went through two changes in the 1993-2016 period. A decisive change in the variability and character of his signature appeared only after Pavol R. and Marian K. claimed that the disputed promissory notes had been signed,” said Papanek.
These findings, according to TV Markiza’s lawyer Daniel Lipsic, prove that the promissory notes have never been authentic. “The conclusions of an impartial expert corroborate Markiza’s claim that the promissory notes aren’t genuine, which was supported by expert opinions that Markiza has already submitted in civil proceedings. The independent expert opinion prepared for NAKA will have a major impact on further proceedings,” said Lipsic. According to him, graphoanalysis is a very convincing method of expertly examining the disputed promissory notes due to the long period that has elapsed since they were allegedly signed.
Former Markiza director Pavol R. alleges that he signed four promissory notes in 2000, two of which were issued for Marian K. and two for Stefan Agh. These promissory notes have led to court cases in which Marian K.’s company is demanding more than €42 million from Pavol R. and Markiza-Slovakia. The men have rejected the suspicion that they falsified the four promissory notes. Earlier in October, entrepreneur Marian K. allegedly submitted the original of the promissory notes to the vault of a district court. The originals were requested by law enforcement bodies after Marian K. was accused in this case along with Pavol R.