Fico Claims Knowledge of Who Killed Kuciak, But Kočner's Lawyer Refuses to Call Him as Witness

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has claimed he knows who was responsible for the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, but the defense lawyer for businessman Marián Kočner has declined to call Fico as a witness in the ongoing trial. The lawyer's refusal appears to stem from concerns that Fico would be legally required to testify truthfully under oath. Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová were murdered in February 2018, a case that triggered mass protests and ultimately led to the resignation of the previous government. Kočner, a controversial businessman, has been charged in connection with ordering the murders, which investigators believe were motivated by Kuciak's reporting on corruption and links between political figures and business interests.