The Slovak court in town Pezinoknear the capital Bratislava, was acquitted Marian Kocherthe businessman who is said to have ordered the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his partner Martina Kusnirovamm, both 27 years old, which took place in their home in 2018. Prosecutors had sought life sentences for both the accused, the instigator and the material executor.

The reporter was the author of several articles against Kocner’s activities: according to the indictment, it was the motive that prompted the businessman to order the inconvenient journalist’s elimination. The bloodshed caused such a stir in Slovakia at the time that the government of then Prime Minister Fico was overthrown.

Today is the second acquittal for Kocner. As part of the trial following these murders, a colleague of Kuciak’s, Alena Zsuzsova, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The verdict is not yet pronounced, as both the defense and the prosecution can appeal.

Jan Kuciak, the reporter killed in 2018