Slovak Judicial Council approves recommendations on cooperating witness law reform

Slovakia's Judicial Council approved recommendations on Tuesday for reforming the country's cooperating witness law, commonly known as the "repentant" or "kajúcnik" system. The council's proposals require that testimony from cooperating witnesses must always be supported by additional objective evidence. The Judicial Council, which oversees the administration of courts and judicial independence, has mandated that Justice Minister Viliam Karas present these recommendations to the Ministry of Justice. The cooperating witness institute allows suspects to receive reduced sentences or immunity in exchange for testimony against accomplices, but critics have raised concerns about the reliability of such testimony without corroborating evidence.