A Slovak court has formally reopened one of the country’s most consequential criminal cases, launching the third trial connected to the 2018 murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. The renewed proceedings underscore the enduring legal, political, and societal impact of a crime that not only shocked Slovakia but also reshaped its public debate about corruption, rule of law, and the safety of journalists.

On January 26, the Specialized Criminal Court ruled that encrypted Threema messages-central digital evidence in the case-would remain admissible as hearings resumed before a newly constituted judicial panel. The decision came after months of legal uncertainty following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a previous verdict and criticized earlier judges for flawed fact-finding and incomplete evaluation of evidence.

Ján Kuciak, 27, was an investigative reporter known for probing corruption, tax fraud, and links between organized crime and political elites. He worked for the news outlet Aktuality.sk and was in the midst of investigating alleged ties between Slovak officials and Italian mafia networks when he was killed. His fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, was murdered alongside him at their home in the village of Veľká Mača in February 2018.

The contract-style killing triggered the largest protests Slovakia had seen since the fall of communism. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding justice, transparency, and an........

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