Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Home > Headlines > Slovak court pauses legal change limiting cooperating witness testimony

Slovak court pauses legal change limiting cooperating witness testimony

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 11, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: February 11, 2026

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's Tula region - Global Banking & Finance Review — Image depicting the aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes in Tula and Nizhny Novgorod regions, highlighting the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilians. Relevant to recent drone attacks targeting industrial sites in Russia.

Tags:Criminal Procedure Code financial stability compliance

Quick Summary

The Slovak Constitutional Court paused an amendment limiting testimony from cooperating witnesses, impacting ongoing corruption cases.

Slovak Court Suspends Legal Amendment Affecting Witness Testimony

Legal Changes and Court Intervention

Feb 11 (Reuters) - The Slovak Constitutional Court paused an amendment to the criminal code that would limit testimony from witnesses who cooperate with prosecutors in criminal cases, after opposition parties argued it was designed to shield corrupt officials.

Background of the Amendment

The measure, among legal changes fast-tracked under Prime Minister Robert Fico, would require courts to reject testimony from cooperating witnesses who were charged in a case, if they had ever lied in any past testimony.

Political Implications

The court said in a statement on Wednesday that it had halted the provision pending further review to avoid affecting a number of ongoing cases.

Ongoing Legal Cases

The opposition said the change had been tailored to help Tibor Gaspar, deputy speaker of parliament from Fico's party Smer-SSD, in a pending criminal case which involves a cooperating witness.

Smer denies the aim is to shield Gaspar, a former police chief who faces charges of corruption and abuse of power. Gaspar denies wrongdoing.

The court has intervened to block other legal changes under Fico since he returned to office in 2023, his fourth stint as prime minister, at the helm of a leftist-nationalist coalition.

In December, the court halted application of a law overhauling the country's office for protection of whistleblowers and struck down some provisions of a law tightening rules for non-governmental organisations.

Prosecutors also threw out allegations last week by the government that the previous cabinet's donations of fighter jets and air-defence systems to Ukraine were illegal.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in PragueEditing by Peter Graff)

Key Takeaways

•Slovak court paused an amendment affecting witness testimony.
•The amendment was fast-tracked under Prime Minister Robert Fico.
•Opposition claims it aims to protect corrupt officials.
•The court's decision impacts ongoing criminal cases.
•The amendment is linked to a case involving Tibor Gaspar.

Frequently Asked Questions about Slovak court pauses legal change limiting cooperating witness testimony

1What is a cooperating witness?

A cooperating witness is an individual who provides testimony or evidence to law enforcement or prosecutors, often in exchange for leniency or immunity from prosecution.

2What is the Criminal Procedure Code?

The Criminal Procedure Code is a set of laws that outlines the procedures for the prosecution of criminal offenses, including the rights of defendants and the responsibilities of law enforcement.

3What is corruption?

Corruption refers to dishonest or unethical conduct by individuals in positions of power, often involving bribery or the misuse of authority for personal gain.

Legal Changes and Court Intervention

Background of the Amendment

Political Implications

The court said in a statement on Wednesday that it had halted the provision pending further review to avoid affecting a number of ongoing cases.

Ongoing Legal Cases

The opposition said the change had been tailored to help Tibor Gaspar, deputy speaker of parliament from Fico's party Smer-SSD, in a pending criminal case which involves a cooperating witness.

Smer denies the aim is to shield Gaspar, a former police chief who faces charges of corruption and abuse of power. Gaspar denies wrongdoing.

The court has intervened to block other legal changes under Fico since he returned to office in 2023, his fourth stint as prime minister, at the helm of a leftist-nationalist coalition.

Prosecutors also threw out allegations last week by the government that the previous cabinet's donations of fighter jets and air-defence systems to Ukraine were illegal.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in PragueEditing by Peter Graff)

Key Takeaways

•Slovak court paused an amendment affecting witness testimony.

•The amendment was fast-tracked under Prime Minister Robert Fico.

•Opposition claims it aims to protect corrupt officials.

•The court's decision impacts ongoing criminal cases.

•The amendment is linked to a case involving Tibor Gaspar.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a cooperating witness?

A cooperating witness is an individual who provides testimony or evidence to law enforcement or prosecutors, often in exchange for leniency or immunity from prosecution.

2What is the Criminal Procedure Code?

The Criminal Procedure Code is a set of laws that outlines the procedures for the prosecution of criminal offenses, including the rights of defendants and the responsibilities of law enforcement.

3What is corruption?

Corruption refers to dishonest or unethical conduct by individuals in positions of power, often involving bribery or the misuse of authority for personal gain.