Former PM aide Martin N. gets suspended sentence for corruption in Osrblie corruption scandal

The Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok upheld a one-year suspended prison sentence with probation of two years for former prime ministerial aide Martin N. and for former Slovakian ambassador to Kenya, Igor L., for the participation in the Osrblie corruption scandal, the Slovak newswire, Slovak Spectator, reported Aug. 18.

 “The announced verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court’s judge proves that corruption has penetrated the highest levels in our society,” said a prosecutor of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, after the verdict was announced, as quoted by the newswire. “From the course of the trial it must be evident to all that proving corruption at these highest levels is extraordinarily difficult and demanding.”

 The court’s verdict also included a fine of EUR 10,000 imposed on both of the accused. The verdict is still not valid, and, according to local media reports, the convicted plan to appeal.

 “We will see what legal opinion the Supreme Court will have,” Martin N. stated after the verdict was announced, as cited by the newswire.

 Igor L.’s lawyer added that the prosecution did not provide any evidence that would prove that the EUR 30,000 given to Igor L. should be considered as a bribe.

 The original verdict in this case, which found Martin N., Igor. L., Peter K., and mediator Pavol P., was issued in October 2013 as part of a penalty notice.

 Martin N., an external adviser for investments to former Prime Minister Iveta Radicova, and Igor L., a former Slovakian ambassador to Kenya, are accused of accepting a bribe of EUR 30,000 for arranging a subsidy of EUR 300,000 for completion of the Osrblie biathlon center. Both men claim they are innocent.

 A total of EUR 1.6 mln was allocated for the construction and refurbishment of the National Sports Complex in Osrblie, including EUR 1 mln from the Ministry of Education, EUR 300,000 from the Ministry of Finance and additional EUR 300,000 from the prime minister’s financial reserve.

 The bribe was allegedly given by Peter K., who, according to the police, went by nickname “Top Client” or “Mr. Icicle” and who, according to local media reports, during the investigation admitted that Martin N. asked for a bribe.

 “He did not directly tell me that he wants 10 percent from these sums: he only wrote it on a piece of paper and asked me whether I had understood,” Peter K. confessed in June 2011, as cited by the newswire.

 The court, however, did not consider Peter K. testimony, as during the investigation his status changed from accused to witness, and as a witness, Peter K. refused to testify again.

 Igor L. also testified in court, claiming that even when he saw the arrests of two people, Peter K. and Pavol P., who gave him EUR 30,000 he was not aware that something was being done illegally. According to his testimony, Igor L. was under impression that the EUR 30,000, a 10 percent out of the EUR 300,000 subsidy, was his payment for consultancy services.

Photo courtesy of Andreaze.