The Supreme Court of Slovakia has found former Finance Minister and current Governor of the National Bank of the country, Peter Kažimír, guilty of corruption offenses that have foreseeable consequences
This decision has become one of the most high-profile in the country's recent efforts to combat bribery and has drawn attention to urgent issues of transparency and the rule of law in investigative processes. According to the court ruling, the head of the National Bank, who has held this position since 2019 and is set to conclude his term on Sunday, June 1, 2025, was convicted of transmitting a bribe of €48,000 to František Imrecze, head of the Financial Administration, in 2017. This bribe was intended to obtain confidential information regarding tax affairs of several companies. This access allowed him to facilitate tax reductions for businesses, resulting in significant economic losses to the state—over three million euros in unpaid VAT alone. The sentence, issued by the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok and presided over by Judge Milan Cisarik, includes a fine of €200,000. At the same time, the court may consider alternative penalties, such as imprisonment for up to one year, if either party files an appeal. The verdict is currently not in force and remains in flux as both sides have the right to appeal. During the trial, Peter Kažimír also faced criticism regarding his behavior. Prior to the verdict, he sent letters to friends, acquaintances, and official contacts in which he sharply criticized the judicial system, claiming that the proceedings were fabricated and politically motivated. In his letter, he stated that he had reason to believe that Judge Milan Cisarik intended to convict him based on fabricated evidence, and he denied any involvement in illegal activities, including receiving or transmitting bribes. The case has been marked by a series of unexpected twists. Initially, Judge Cisarik ordered a closed-door decision imposing a €100,000 fine on Kažimír for corruption; however, this decision was appealed, and the case was remanded for a new open hearing. This underscores the complex and politically sensitive nature of the case. It is worth noting that during the proceedings, issues of statute of limitations were raised. The defense argued that the case should already be closed due to elapsed time, as the events occurred in 2017–2018. Under new legislation, the general statute of limitations for bribery is three years. However, under EU rules concerning damage to community interests or cases involving international cooperation, longer periods—up to five years—may apply. Judge Cisarik took this interpretation into account, refusing to dismiss the case on the grounds of statute of limitations. European experts, including Prosecutor Jurek Novořský, emphasize that questions of justice in this case are directly linked to EU laws, especially regarding VAT issues, which present challenges in cooperation and regulation within the European Union. Several EU court rulings affirm that obligations related to the payment or imposition of fines for tax and duty violations must be carefully considered during legal proceedings of such importance. It is important to highlight that in the days leading up to the end of his term, Peter Kažimír’s case has been actively discussed in the media and among the public concerning the fight against corruption and its prospects in the country. Media outlets, politicians, and civil society actors point out that this case is not yet over and retains the potential for appeals, as well as political and legal repercussions. Against this background, the political situation in the country remains tense. Moreover, recently, prominent states such as Hungary and Slovakia refused to sign a document from the Council of the European Union aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and combating disinformation, highlighting internal fragmentation and challenges within the European community. These political disagreements add context to ongoing discussions about justice and anti-corruption efforts in Eastern European countries, including Ukraine and beyond.