Investment Minister Appoints Man Linked to Tax Fraud Case to Head State Company

Slovakia's Investment Minister Samuel Migaľ has appointed a businessman facing tax fraud allegations to lead a new state-owned company worth 30 million euros. The minister entrusted Bučko with control of Mirri Developments, despite his previous company facing an administrative court ruling that classified his family's land transactions as tax fraud. The administrative court determined that Bučko's earlier business operations involved fraudulent attempts to reclaim value-added tax from the state. The appointment raises questions about the government's vetting procedures for senior positions in state-controlled enterprises, particularly given the substantial financial resources involved in the new company.