Half-Million Euro Bribe Testimony Threatened by Criminal Code Changes in Slovak Očistec Case

Five witnesses have confirmed testimony about a half-million euro bribe in the Očistec corruption case, but their statements could be invalidated by proposed changes to Slovakia's criminal procedure code. Ľubomír Daňko, who led the Očistec working group and later headed NAKA, the country's anti-corruption police unit, said the case involves 60 witnesses including businessman Ladislav Bašternák. The Očistec investigation has examined major corruption allegations within Slovakia's law enforcement and judicial system. Daňko warned that proposed amendments to criminal procedure law could undermine testimony from cooperating witnesses, potentially benefiting former police chief Tibor Gašpar, though the Constitutional Court may block the changes. He predicted the legal complications will prevent the case from concluding before Slovakia's 2027 elections, raising concerns about accountability in one of the country's most significant anti-corruption investigations.