# Slovakia Ján Kuciak murder and surveillance trials > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/slovakia-jn-kuciak-murder-trial > Updated: 2026-09-17T08:36:57.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4. The trial concerning the 2018 murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, has proceeded at the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok. The legal proceedings involve the reading of documentary evidence and witness testimonies. Defendants Marian Kočner and Alena Zsuzsová, accused of ordering the murders, have requested to participate in the proceedings in their absence. Dušan Kracina has been the only defendant present during recent sessions. Regarding Kracina, the presiding judge, Miroslav Mazúch, partially granted a motion to remove his requirement to report regularly to a probation officer, though he remains under supervision with restrictions on gambling and certain visits. The case also addresses charges related to the attempted murder of prosecutors Maroš Žilinka and Daniel Lipšic. While previous verdicts for the executors, Miroslav Marček and Tomáš Szabó, and mediator Zoltán Andruskó have been issued, this trial follows the annulment of previous verdicts by the Supreme Court. Recent developments include the review of evidence such as a September 2017 phone call in which Kočner reportedly threatened Kuciak, stating he would ‘look for dirt’ to make the journalist ‘stop writing.’ The prosecution alleges Kočner ordered the murder through Alena Zsuzsová. In addition to the murder trial, Kočner and Peter Tóth have appeared in court regarding allegations of organized surveillance. The prosecution alleges that between late 2016 and early 2017, Kočner commissioned Tóth to hire a team to gather private information to discredit journalists and politicians. The defendants have denied these charges, but the trial has been adjourned indefinitely due to the presiding judge’s health concerns. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-17: Marian Kočner and Peter Tóth face court over journalist surveillance allegations Marian Kočner and Peter Tóth face trial for allegedly organizing the surveillance of journalists, while prosecutor charges have been filed against Monika Jankovská in a corruption case. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marian-koner-and-peter-tth-face-court-over-journalist-surveillance-allegations ### 2026-09-05: Marian Kočner faces ongoing trials for murder and real estate fraud Marian Kočner faces ongoing legal proceedings in Slovakia, including the murder trial of journalist Ján Kuciak and a separate case involving real estate fraud at Five Star Residence. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marian-koner-faces-ongoing-trials-for-murder-and-real-estate-fraud ### 2026-08-26: Slovakia murder trial of journalist Ján Kuciak continues The trial for the murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová continues in Pezinok, featuring witness testimonies and updates on the detention conditions for defendant Dušan Kracina. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-murder-trial-of-journalist-jn-kuciak-continues ### 2026-08-22: Ján Kuciak murder trial continues with reading of evidence The trial for the 2018 murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée continues in Pezinok, with defendants Marian Kočner and Alena Zsuzsová requesting to proceed in their absence. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-trial-continues-in-jn-kuciak-murder-case --- Cite as: Slovakia Ján Kuciak murder and surveillance trials. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/slovakia-jn-kuciak-murder-trial