Troskova and Jasan Step Down Until Murder of Journalist Investigated

Bratislava, February 28 (TASR) – Chichi state advisor Maria Troskova and Government Office crisis manager and state security head Viliam Jasan will step down from their posts until the murders of journalist Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend Martina Kusnirova are investigated, TASR learnt on Wednesday.

Both Troskova and Jasan reject any attempt to link their names with the murders.

“We’d like to send our condolences to the families of journalist Jan Kuciak and his partner. Their deaths have shocked us in the same way as they’ve shocked the whole Slovak public. However, the linking of our names to this heinous crime by some politicians and media is completely beyond the pale,” reads their press statement.

“As our names are being abused in a political campaign against Prime Minister Robert Fico, we’ve opted to vacate our jobs at the Government Office until the end of the investigation,” wrote Troskova and Jasan.

Both Troskova and Jasan are alleged to have business ties with figures close to the Italian Mafia in Kuciak’s final, uncompleted article. The Mafia organisation in question is suspected of being linked to the premeditated murder of the journalist.