Court rules in favor of bribery conviction against Kazmir
Slovakia's National Bank Governor and Former Finance Minister Peter Kažimír Faced Corruption Conviction
In a ruling handed down by the Special Criminal Court in Pezinok, Slovakia's current National Bank governor and former finance minister, Peter Kažimír, was found guilty of corruption. Despite the possibility of a prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of €200,000.
The verdict remains subject to appeal by both parties. The charges against Kažimír involve the bribing of František Imrecze, the then-head of the Financial Administration in 2017. Prosecutors allege that the bribe, worth €48,000, was meant to gain access to confidential tax information that helped several companies avoid paying over €3 million in excess VAT.
Imrecze had reportedly received the bribe before turning it over to the police, and the court has ruled that the sum will be confiscated in favor of the state. Another interested party in these companies was businessman Ladislav Rehák, and it was noted that Kažimír purchased a villa near Slavín in Bratislava from him at a favorable price.
On the eve of the verdict, Kažimír sent a letter to friends, associates, and official contacts expressing his disapproval of the proceedings, claiming they were fabricated and devoid of evidence. Kažimír argues that his conviction is based on lies, and he maintains that he has never provided any bribes.
The trial was not without complications, as the initial decision was handed down via a criminal decree in a closed session. However, the procedures were later revised, leading to a public trial. The defense had argued the case should be dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. However, the judge ruled that the five-year statute of limitations applicable to crimes potentially damaging EU interests still applies, given the related nature of the VAT in question.
Peter Kažimír's term as governor of the National Bank of Slovakia is due to end on June 1, 2025. It is worth noting that both Hungary and Slovakia rejected a document prepared for approval by the Council of the EU aimed at strengthening democratic resilience in the European Union, which involves combating disinformation, election fraud, and supporting democratic media.
The conviction of Kažimír raises concerns regarding the reputation and trustworthiness of Slovakia's financial institutions and its governance within the European Union. Moreover, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for handling corruption cases in the EU, particularly in light of evolving legal frameworks.
In light of the conviction, discussions surrounding the role of politics in business and finance might arise, considering Peter Kažimír's position as a former finance minister and current National Bank governor. The General News outlets may also focus on the potential impact of this case on Slovakia's reputation within the European Union, particularly in terms of democratic resilience and combating corruption.
