Slovak Justice Minister Proposes Third Amendment to Witness Cooperation Rules

Slovak Justice Minister Viliam Susko has proposed a third amendment to rules governing cooperating witnesses, known as "kajúcnici" in Slovak law. The latest proposal does not eliminate the institution of cooperating witnesses but would allow courts to question the credibility of their testimony, including in cases already underway. The changes could affect the Očistec corruption case involving Tibor Gašpar, a member of the ruling Smer-SD party and former police chief, as well as the trial concerning the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak. Cooperating witnesses are individuals who provide testimony against co-defendants in exchange for reduced sentences, and their credibility has been a contentious issue in Slovak criminal proceedings involving high-profile corruption and organized crime cases.