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February 22, 2025 – Slovakia –
Thousands of Slovaks took to the streets on February 21, 2025, to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the assassination of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, whose murders in 2018 sent shockwaves through Slovakia and sparked the largest anti-government protests since the fall of communism. The recent demonstrations, held in Bratislava and across more than 20 cities, not only honored the slain couple but also voiced growing alarm over Prime Minister Robert Fico’s policies, which critics argue are undermining press freedom and democratic institutions.
Kuciak, a 27-year-old reporter for Aktuality.sk, had been investigating political corruption and ties between Slovak officials and organized crime. His death, along with Kušnírová’s, was widely believed to be a direct consequence of his work. While a businessman suspected of ordering the killings was acquitted in 2023, four others involved in the murder plot have been convicted. Despite these convictions, many in the public remain dissatisfied with the justice system’s handling of the case and the perceived lack of full accountability.
This year’s protests coincided with the controversial judicial reforms being advanced by Fico’s government, including efforts to abolish the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which investigates high-level corruption. Protesters fear these changes are aimed at weakening investigations into powerful political and business elites. Demonstrators carried placards reading “For a Decent Slovakia” and “We Won’t Forget,” demanding transparency, press freedom, and a government that respects democratic checks and balances.
Prime Minister Fico, who returned to power in 2023, has long been criticized for fostering a hostile environment toward journalists. His government’s rhetoric and actions have raised alarms among human rights groups and the European Union, especially as Slovakia slides down global press freedom rankings.
Seven years after Kuciak’s death, the Slovak public continues to push back, determined to honor his legacy and defend the freedoms he died for. The widespread protests signal a society unwilling to forget — and unwilling to stay silent.
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