Across Slovakia today, commemorations were held to mark the anniversary of the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, who were shot dead in their home in February 2018. Ceremonies took place in Bratislava and in their hometowns, Štiavnik and Gregorovce, with candles, public readings and moments of silence organised by media groups, civil society organisations and universities.
Kuciak had been investigating corruption, tax fraud and links between Slovak business figures and political elites at the time of his death. Speakers at today’s memorials stressed the continued importance of press freedom and accountability, describing the killings as a turning point in modern Slovak history. Participants also called for justice to be fully delivered and for the protection of journalists across Europe.
The murders triggered the largest street protests in Slovakia since 1989 under the banner “For a Decent Slovakia.” Amid mounting public pressure, then-Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned in March 2018. While gunman Miroslav Marček and accomplices were convicted, the businessman accused of ordering the killing, Marian Kočner, was acquitted in 2020 and again in 2023 after retrials.
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