Key Witness Confirms Authenticity of Kočner's Prison Notes at Trial

A key witness testified before Slovakia's Specialized Criminal Court, confirming that smuggled notes written by prominent businessman and convicted fraudster Marián Kočner while in pretrial detention were authentic. The witness, identified as Tóth, also spoke about an alleged intervention connected to the case. Marián Kočner is one of Slovakia's most notorious figures, previously convicted of forgery and widely known as the prime suspect in ordering the 2018 assassination of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová — a murder that triggered mass protests and a political crisis in Slovakia. The so-called 'motáky' — handwritten notes secretly passed out of prison — have been central to multiple legal proceedings, as prosecutors allege they contain instructions and communications that shed light on Kočner's alleged criminal network and influence over public officials. The Specialized Criminal Court, Slovakia's tribunal dedicated to serious corruption and organized crime cases, has been examining the notes as part of ongoing proceedings. Tóth's testimony affirming their authenticity is a significant development, potentially strengthening the evidentiary foundation for prosecutors pursuing cases linked to Kočner's alleged interference with state institutions.