Kočner's Prison Phone Calls to Former Police Officer Played at Trial in Kuciak Murder Case

Recordings of phone calls made by imprisoned businessman Marian Kočner to former police officer Peter Tóth have been played at a court hearing, revealing near-daily contact during a critical phase of the investigation into the 2018 murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. The recordings, presented at Tuesday's hearing in Kočner's ongoing trial, captured conversations during key days of the murder investigation, including the period when the alleged killers were charged and when Alena Zsuzsová — accused of acting as an intermediary in organizing the murders — was also detained. In one exchange, Kočner was heard reacting to news of the suspects' arrest with the exclamation "Fúha" — a Slovak expression of surprise. Ján Kuciak was an investigative journalist whose reporting focused on tax fraud and alleged ties between Slovak businesspeople and organized crime. He and Kušnírová were shot dead at their home in February 2018 in a case that triggered massive street protests across Slovakia and ultimately led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Robert Fico. Kočner, a controversial and well-connected Slovak businessman, is accused of ordering the murders. Zsuzsová is accused of coordinating them. The phone call evidence is significant as it may shed light on the level of communication and coordination between Kočner and individuals connected to the case while he was already in custody on separate charges.