BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — On Friday, thousands took to the streets of Slovakia to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová.
These gatherings are part of a larger movement against the pro-Russian stance of Prime Minister Robert Fico, which has drawn significant public criticism. In the capital city of Bratislava, attendees observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the couple, both aged 27, who were tragically shot in their home in Velka Maca on February 21, 2018.
The shocking nature of their killings sparked widespread protests across the country, reminiscent of the protests during the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which led to significant political change in Czechoslovakia. The outrage from the public resulted in a political crisis that ultimately dismantled Fico’s coalition government. Kuciak was actively investigating allegations of government corruption at the time of his death.
During the rallies, the parents of Kuciak and Kušnírová received a warm reception when they appeared on stage, with Jozef Kuciak stating, “I believe that our common fight will be successful.” In the ongoing investigation, businessman Marián Ko?ner has been acquitted twice of orchestrating the murders, despite prosecutors alleging he orchestrated the crime through payment to the convicted shooter.
The current demonstrations mark the largest protests since the couple’s deaths, driven by increasing dissatisfaction with Fico’s recent engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, a notable event for a European Union leader since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. Moreover, his contentious comments hinting at Slovakia potentially leaving both the EU and NATO have further inflamed public sentiment.
“We’ve had enough of Fico,” protestors voiced, with substantial crowds gathering across 47 towns and cities nationwide and in 16 locations abroad, calling for the Prime Minister’s resignation. At Freedom Square in Bratislava, approximately 10,000 demonstrators chanted slogans urging him to “Resign, resign.”
Fico’s positions regarding Russia have sharply contrasted with predominant views within the EU. He regained power last year after his left-leaning party, Smer, triumphed in the parliamentary elections. Since then, Fico has halted military assistance to Ukraine, voiced criticism of EU sanctions aimed at Russia, and pledged to prevent Ukraine from becoming a NATO member. His hostile remarks toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling him as an enemy, came after Ukraine disrupted gas supplies to Slovakia and other parts of Europe.
