A former Slovak judge now serving as legal adviser to the Prime Minister is under police investigation following courtroom testimony from a convicted mafia member alleging bribery, as tensions escalate between law enforcement and government circles over potential corruption at the heart of the state. Dávid Lindtner, who advises Prime Minister Robert Fico and previously led the Bratislava III District Court, was named in March 2025 by ex-gang member Dávid Takáč during a trial at Slovakia’s Specialised Criminal Court, which handles organised crime and corruption cases. Takáč claimed Lindtner accepted bribes while serving as a judge in Pezinok, and alleged frequent contact between Lindtner and Ľuboš Kosík—a former Slovak intelligence agent now living in exile in Mali and convicted in absentia of serious financial crimes. Though Takáč offered no documentation, and Lindtner denies ever meeting him, the accusation triggered an official referral by senior prosecutor Peter Kysel. In response, Lindtner filed a criminal complaint accusing Kysel of inciting false testimony. The General Prosecutor’s Office deemed the matter serious and referred it to the police, though neither it nor the Police Presidium has disclosed which unit is handling the case. The investigation unfolds as Lindtner faces separate corruption charges in an unrelated judicial scandal, while his political prominence has risen through his legal work for Fico and his recent appointment to Slovakia’s public broadcasting council. With key witnesses abroad and the alleged events dating back over a decade, the case raises complex legal questions about accountability, the statute of limitations, and unresolved connections between former state officials and organised crime.
In March 2025, new corruption allegations emerged against Dávid Lindtner, a former judge who now acts as legal adviser to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The allegations surfaced during a hearing at the Specialised Criminal Court, which deals with high-profile and organised crime cases. Dávid Takáč, a former member of the Sýkorovci criminal group, testified during the trial of another former member, Richard Šulka.
According to the Slovak news outlet SME, Takáč unexpectedly stated in court that Lindtner had accepted bribes while serving as a judge in the town of Pezinok. Takáč did not provide further details or documentation to support the claim. He also stated that he had previously worked as a driver for Ľuboš Kosík, a former agent of the Slovak Information Service (SIS), during the years 2009 to 2010, and claimed that Kosík was frequently in contact with Lindtner at that time.
Legal Action by and Against a Prosecutor
Peter Kysel, a prosecutor from the Bratislava Regional Prosecutor’s Office, was responsible for overseeing the Šulka case. He was not present in court when Takáč made his statement but later received information about it and referred the matter for further investigation. According to the SME report, Kysel fulfilled his official duties by forwarding the information.
In early April, Lindtner filed a criminal complaint against Kysel with the General Prosecutor’s Office. According to a statement issued through the Slovak Government Office, Lindtner accused Kysel of abuse of power and of inciting false testimony with the intent to damage his reputation. The General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the case had been forwarded to the police for investigation. However, it has not disclosed which police department received the case, citing the early stage of the proceedings.
The Police Presidium also declined to provide details, stating that no information would be released while the investigation was ongoing.
Political Background and Public Response
According to SME, the allegations emerged at a time when Lindtner’s name was being discussed as a potential nominee for Prosecutor General. He had also been appointed as a member of the Council of Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). The report stated that Lindtner believed the testimony was intended to discredit him “especially at a time when his name is being considered in connection with high public office.”
In the statement released by the Government Office, Lindtner denied ever meeting Takáč and described the claims as false and deliberately fabricated. He also referred to a statement from Ľuboš Kosík, who currently resides in Mali and is serving an 18-year sentence in absentia for forging promissory notes. Kosík has also been charged in connection with the 1995 abduction of the son of the Slovak president. Kosík confirmed to SME that he knew Lindtner while the latter was a judge and stated that they were introduced by former SIS head Ivan Lexa. Kosík denied any bribery, stating, “We didn’t need to solve anything through bribes.” He also said the timeline mentioned by Takáč was inaccurate.
Lindtner did not comment on his relationship with Kosík or whether he had been questioned by police.
Previous Allegations and Investigations
In 2019, Lindtner resigned as president of the Bratislava III District Court after encrypted messages revealed communication between him and Marian Kočner, a businessman later convicted of ordering the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak. Lindtner subsequently suspended and then ended his judicial role and became a lawyer.
Currently, he is a partner in a law firm founded by Robert Kaliňák, a senior figure in the Smer party and former Minister of the Interior. Lindtner also serves as legal adviser to Prime Minister Fico and is representing him in a case involving a 2023 assassination attempt, in which a pensioner stands accused. In addition, Lindtner faces charges of corruption and interference in judicial independence in a separate case known as Operation Storm.
Investigation Status and Legal Limitations
The Bratislava Regional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the case involving Takáč’s testimony was referred to the National Crime Agency’s anti-organised crime division. According to its spokesperson, the case remains in a preliminary phase and no final decision has been made.
As the alleged events occurred approximately 15 years ago, SME noted that they may fall outside the five-year statute of limitations that currently applies to corruption-related offences in Slovakia.
Authorities have not been able to question Ľuboš Kosík, who remains in Mali. A Slovak court received confirmation from the police in Pezinok that Kosík is still residing in Mali as of March 31, 2025. According to the court, despite the efforts of Slovak authorities, Interpol’s office in Bamako has not cooperated on the request for Kosík’s extradition.
Source: Matúš Burčík | Source: SME.SK
