The ongoing legal proceedings involving Marko Slavič mlajši and Bela Benedek have taken a new turn as the Maribor District Court has decided to supplement the existing expert opinion on the economic justification of disputed business activities central to the charges of tax evasion and alleged bribery. The case, which involves accusations of a multi-million-euro tax fraud and potential bribing, has seen both defendants appear before the court, accompanied by their lawyers. This decision comes after the prosecution altered a crucial part of the indictment following a court ruling from the European Union.
The court's decision to supplement the expert opinion highlights the complexity surrounding the financial dealings attributed to Slavič and Benedek. The defense has responded to allegations about business operations conducted through suspected shell companies. Additionally, the case includes claims regarding a bribe amounting to 668,000 euros, with an allegedly seized spreadsheet potentially revealing further details. The court also rejected the establishment of a new expert but mandated the expansion of the current one. This move could be influenced by an ongoing decision from the Supreme Court concerning the review of tax decisions, adding another layer of uncertainty to the case’s trajectory.
Meanwhile, in Piran, the mayor Andrej Korenika finds himself under scrutiny by the Commission for Preventing Corruption (KPK). His public endorsement of the current director of the Obalne galerije Piran, Mari Ambrožič Verderber, shortly before the announcement of a new director recruitment process sparked allegations of prior bias and favoritism towards her. The KPK confirmed they are examining this matter within a preliminary investigation, assessing whether there were violations of integrity laws and anti-corruption regulations. They emphasized that personnel processes in public administration require transparency and the search for the best candidates without political influence.
In response, representatives from the Piran municipality denied receiving any notification from the KPK and stated that the mayor's statement was merely a reaction to media reports suggesting unlawful management of the galleries and a positive evaluation of the director's work. They argued that the mayor had the right and duty to respond when media created a misleading impression about the legality of a public institution's operations. Furthermore, they assured that the new recruitment process would be fully open to all interested parties and that the support expressed did not constitute instructions for the recruitment committee.
This situation is closely linked to a ruling by the Nova Gorica Administrative Court, which concluded late last year that the city of Piran, under the previous mayor Đenia Zadković, violated legislation during the appointment of Mari Ambrožič Verderber as director. According to the newspaper Dnevnik, the court found that the city did not justify the exclusion of an unselected candidate from the process. Despite the ruling, the council under Mayor Korenika attempted to overturn the decision at the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court rejected the request for revision in June, as reported by Dnevnik.
Representatives from the Piran municipality explained that the court had identified only a procedural error at the time. They assured that the new recruitment process would adhere to legislation, new judicial practice, and due diligence. The connection between these cases underscores the broader concerns around corruption and integrity in local governance, particularly in light of recent legal developments and ongoing investigations. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the outcomes of these cases will likely shape future practices and policies aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in public administration.
3 reports
VečerIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 703 days agoThe trial of Marko Slavič Jr., a Plješka businessman, and Béla Benedek, a Hungarian entrepreneur, continues as the Maribor District Court has decided to supplement the expert opinion on the economic justification of disputed transactions at the center of allegations of tax evasion involving millions of euros and alleged bribery. The prosecution changed a key part of the indictment following a court decision by the European Union. Slavič is responding to accusations of conducting business through alleged shell companies. The alleged bribe of 668,000 euros and a seized spreadsheet are under scrutiny. The court rejected the appointment of a new expert but ordered the supplementation of the existing expert opinion. The ongoing decision by the Supreme Court regarding the revision of tax decisions could influence the case.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of legal proceedings without overtly favoring any side. It outlines the court's decision to supplement the expert opinion and mentions the allegations against the defendants without taking a stance on their guilt or innocence. The language remains neutral, and,
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 70): Highly factual with clear legal details and alignment with other sources. Objectivity slightly lower due to emphasis on Balažic’s legal situation and less balance in presenting opposing views.
Primorske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 753 days agoThe article discusses allegations of potential bias in the selection process for the director of Piran's Coastal Galleries, involving Mayor Andrej Korenika and current director Ambrožič Verderber. The Public Integrity Commission (KPK) confirmed they are investigating the matter under previous scrutiny, checking circumstances related to integrity and anti-corruption laws. Officials from Piran Municipality stated that the mayor’s public praise was a response to media reports suggesting unlawful leadership and a positive evaluation of the current director’s work. They emphasized that the mayor’s comments do not interfere with equal opportunities for candidates in future processes. The issue is linked to a court ruling from last year, which found that the municipality violated regulations during the appointment of Ambrožič Verderber under former mayor Đenia Zadković. The court concluded that the municipality failed to justify her removal from the process, and while the municipal council attempted to challenge this at the Supreme Court, the judges rejected the revision proposal in June.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: the KPK investigation into possible legal violations and the municipal authorities’ defense of the mayor’s actions as a legitimate response to media narratives. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing, as the report remains balanced between the KП
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 75): Factual with good alignment to other reports. Objectivity is slightly lower due to focus on Balažic's legal status and less attention to broader implications.
N1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 803 days agoThe Corruption Prevention Commission (KPK) has initiated a preliminary investigation into the conduct of Piran mayor Andrej Korenika, focusing on his public support for the director of the Piran Coastal Galleries, Mari Ambrožič Verderber, shortly before the announcement of a new tender for the position. The allegations suggest possible prior favoritism toward the current director. The KPK confirmed they are examining the case under the integrity and anti-corruption law. Meanwhile, the municipality of Piran denies any wrongdoing, stating that the mayor's statement was merely a response to media reports about alleged illegal management of the galleries and a positive assessment of the director's work. They emphasized that the new tender process would be fully open to all candidates and that the mayor's support did not influence the selection committee. This issue is linked to a previous court ruling from late last year, which found that the municipality had violated regulations during the appointment of Ambrožič Verderber under the previous mayor, Đenia Zadković. The court ruled that the municipality failed to justify the exclusion of another candidate, and the decision was upheld by
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the allegations against the mayor and the municipality's denial, providing balanced perspectives without overtly favoring either side. It includes statements from the KPK and the municipality, offering a neutral account of the situation.
Why these scores (Factual 70 · Objective 80): Moderately factual but lacks depth on specific allegations. Objectivity is high as it presents both the KPK's concerns and the občina's defense without bias.
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