Slovak Appeals Court Overturns Former Prosecutor General's Sentence Due to Police and Judicial Errors

Slovakia's appeals court overturned the criminal sentence against former Prosecutor General Dobroslav Kováčik, citing significant procedural errors in the case. The court panel criticized police investigators for using "harpoon" tactics and faulted the presiding judge for concealing a personal relationship that created a conflict of interest. The appeals court also identified that the judicial panel confused two separate criminal acts and cited contradictions in testimony that undermined the original conviction. Kováčik previously served as Slovakia's top prosecutor from 2011 to 2021, when he was dismissed following corruption charges. The Special Prosecutor's Office, which handles major corruption and organized crime cases, had secured his conviction in lower court proceedings, but the appellate decision now throws his case into question and highlights ongoing issues with judicial integrity in high-profile corruption prosecutions.