Slovak journalist killed after investigation

bratislava - A Slovak journalist was shot in his house last weekend. His fiancé was also murdered in their house in Velka Maca, 65 kilometers east of the capital Bratislava.

27-year-old Ján Kuciak was an investigative journalist with Slovak Aktuality. sk. He investigated tax fraud by businessmen who have ties with the government party. According to the police, it is plausible that the couple was murdered because of the journalist's research.

According to Axel Springer, the German media company to which Aktuality is affiliated, the suspicion is justified that the murder is connected with Kuciak's research work.

Slovakian politicians condemned the murder. 'We need to find those who have done this as quickly as possible and ensure the safety of all journalists with all the means we have,' said President Andrej Kiska. Premier Fico immediately arranged a meeting with the top of the investigative services.

The European Commission, through Vice-President Frans Timmermans, was shocked by the murder. 'No democracy can survive without free press, the reason journalists deserve respect and protection. Justice must prevail. '

Such sounds also sound from the European Parliament. President Antonio Tajani called on the Slovak authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, if necessary with international support. With a reference to the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia of last October, he says that the parliament will not rest before the perpetrator is tried.