Former Police Chief Tibor Gašpar Faces Trial in Major Corruption Case

Former police chief Tibor Gašpar, businessman Norbert Bödör, ex-special prosecutor Dušan Kováčik and other prominent figures began facing trial today in the Očistec case, described as Slovakia's most important court proceeding this year and likely next. The case centers on corruption allegations that sparked a political conflict between Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party, and a group of police investigators known as the "Čurillovci" after former police investigator Ján Čurilla. The trial represents a significant moment in Slovakia's ongoing battle against high-level corruption, with the charges involving abuse of power and obstruction of justice by senior law enforcement officials and their alleged connections to organized crime figures.