Court found Peter Kažimír guilty of corruption

The Specialized Criminal Court found Peter Kažimír, ex-finance minister for Smer and current central bank NBS governor, guilty of corruption. In 2017, as minister, he gave a €48,000 bribe to the then head of the tax authority FS, František Imrecze, for preferential VAT refunds to his friend’s companies. He was sentenced to a €200,000 fine and the confiscation of €48,000. Kažimír appealed, and the Supreme Court will decide. He remains in office as governor, although his six-year term ends on Sunday. He will stay in office until the ruling coalition selects his successor. Hlas still wants him for another term. (postoj.sk)

                    PM Robert Fico as well as Hlas leader Matúš Šutaj Eštok defended Kažimír, calling the trial political. (aktuality.sk)

Kažimír is the third ex-minister convicted of corruption, following Marián Janušek and Igor Štefanov (both SNS).