Slovak Prime Minister's Adviser Acquitted of Corruption Charges

A specialized criminal court in Slovakia acquitted David Lindtner, an adviser to Prime Minister Robert Fico, of indirect corruption and interfering with judicial independence. Judge Roman Púchovský of the Specialized Criminal Court ruled that testimony from former judges Vladimír Sklenka and Miriam Repáková was insufficient, stating the evidence was isolated and unsupported by additional proof. The acquittal is not final, as prosecutor Ján Hrivnák has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, Slovakia's highest judicial authority. The case involved allegations that Lindtner, who serves as an adviser to Fico, the leader of the ruling Smer-SD party, had improperly influenced judicial proceedings.