Investgative journalist murdered in Slovakia

"We are shocked and stunned about the message, that Jan Kuciak and his companion obviously have been the victim of a cruel assassination," the company said, adding:

"Although the background is not totally clarified there is justified suspicion that the crimes are connected with a current research of our colleague. Jan Kuciak has been working for three years for the newsportal aktuality.sk, belonging to Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia."

"We grieve with their families, friends and colleagues and we will do everything we can to support the governmental authorities in order to identify the perpetrators. In case the crime was meant as an attempt to deter an independent publisher like Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia from uncovering any infringements, we will use this as an opportunity to take our journalistic responsibility even more conscientious and consistent," the press release concluded.

Media reports said earlier that the 27-year-old Slovak investigative reporter - who focused mainly on tax invasion - had been shot dead in his apartment, along with his girlfriend.

Police official Tibor Gaspar said the killings "likely have something to do with Kuciak's investigative activities "but "declined to elaborate," AP reported.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said if that if that were the case, it would be "an unprecedented attack on freedom of the press and democracy in Slovakia" and added his government was offering one million euros to anyone who helped the authorities find those behind the killings.

The European and International Federation of Journalists (EFJ/IFJ) reacted on Monday to say they were "deeply shocked to learn of Kuciak's death," noting that his reporting "focused mainly on allegations of tax...