Slovak Corruption: Enemy of Democracy, Ally of Extremism

Garton Ash cites a positive example: "Leading the democratic fightback in central Europe today is Slovakia, a country which was an authoritarian laggard in the 1990s, and has had more than its fair share of post-communist corruption in recent years."

In this context, Garton Ash writes about the mass citizens' protests that followed the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova in 2018 and recalls the "election this year of a liberal, pro-European president, Zuzana Caputova".

Caputova's example is truly encouraging and gives democrats hope that even in unfavourable conditions it is possible to muster popular support for decent policies without inciting hatred towards others, and without making promises that raise unrealistic expectations.

At the time Garton Ash's article came out, Slovak media was busy releasing a stream of information about the alleged activities of businessman Marin Kocner, detained last year and charged with ordering the murder of Kuciak.

Leaked text conversations from his phone show that Kocner managed to create a network — a sort of rogue micro-empire — that included corrupt politicians, government officials, judges, prosecutors, police, notaries, bailiffs, lawyers, journalists, former secret service agents and eventually the alleged assassins.

The wide scope and precision with which Kocner created his micro-empire, and the incredible personal commitment with which he expanded and managed it, are breathtaking.

The wide scope and precision with which Kocner created his micro-empire, and the incredible personal commitment with which he expanded and managed it, are breathtaking.

Kocner kept a close eye on appointments in the various judicial...