Harabin Sentence Confirmed, Announces Presidential Bid

As for the charge of defaming the Ukrainian nation, the Supreme Court found Harabin right here as well. “…the defendant’s actions cannot be evaluated as disparaging the entire Ukrainian nation, since his views do not lead to the conclusion that he hates the Ukrainian nation as such.”

Kotlar also came

Several people came to the court to support Harabin, among them the member of the National Council and the plenipotentiary of the government, Peter Kotlar. When the judge announced the verdict, Harabin’s fans began to applaud.

The former Minister of Justice was convinced of his innocence from the beginning. Shortly before the hearing, he pointed his finger at the prosecutor, who was standing right next to him, and told him that he would end up in Leopoldov. He then declared in front of the judge that not only the gown, but also the ID card should be taken away from the prosecutor.

Harabin has repeated in the past that he will demand compensation. “There won’t even be a condition for it, it will be an exemption. And you will also pay me compensation from your taxes for improper official procedure,” he said in 2022. Today he did not want to say whether he would actually request compensation for non-pecuniary damage. However, he thinks that Minister of Justice Boris Susko (Smer) could compensate proactively.

When Harabin left the courthouse, he also announced that he was going to run for president again. He already fought for the post of head of state in 2019 and 2024, but he never managed to get to the second round. Despite this, Harabin also stated today that he won in both cases. He wants to run again because, according to him, today we have an “American president”.

First decision

In the Harabin case at the end of May last year, the single judge of the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok, Ján Buvala, first decided. He concluded that the prosecuted act was not a criminal offense and acquitted Harabin of the charges.

The failed presidential candidate was charged by the police almost four years ago. In May 2022, he was also detained for several hours. Even then, Harabin did not even try to develop. He told reporters that he stands by his position.

“I said the status, and I insist on that status, that it is my opinion. I condemned the killing of civilians in the Donbas,” he stated. The Facebook status disappeared a long time ago. Harabin claimed that he did not delete it.

Štefan Harabin, a former Minister of Justice, has been cleared of charges alleging he defamed the Ukrainian nation, a ruling handed down by the Supreme Court. The court determined his statements didn’t demonstrate hatred towards the Ukrainian people.

Harabin’s Acquittal and Future Plans

The former minister’s legal battle is over, but his political ambitions remain strong.

• Štefan Harabin was acquitted of defamation charges by the Supreme Court.
• The court found his views did not indicate hatred towards the Ukrainian nation.
• Harabin intends to seek compensation for what he calls improper official procedure.
• He announced his intention to run for president again, despite previous unsuccessful bids.

The Supreme Court found that Harabin’s actions “cannot be evaluated as disparaging the entire Ukrainian nation, since his views do not lead to the conclusion that he hates the Ukrainian nation as such.” The decision marks a turning point in a case that has drawn considerable attention.

Courtroom Drama and Calls for Compensation

Support for Harabin was visible at the court, with Peter Kotlar, a member of the National Council, among those present. Applause erupted from Harabin’s supporters when the verdict was announced.

Harabin, who previously served as Minister of Justice, expressed confidence in his innocence throughout the proceedings. He even pointedly told the prosecutor he believed they would end up in Leopoldov prison, and demanded the removal of both their judicial robe and identification card.

In 2022, Harabin stated he would seek compensation, declaring, “There won’t even be a condition for it, it will be an exemption. And you will also pay me compensation from your taxes for improper official procedure.” While he didn’t confirm whether he would pursue this today, he suggested that current Minister of Justice Boris Susko could proactively offer compensation.

A Presidential Run on the Horizon?

Leaving the courthouse, Harabin announced his intention to run for president again, having previously campaigned in 2019 and 2024 without reaching the second round. Despite these past defeats, he maintains he “won in both cases” and believes the current political landscape, which he describes as having an “American president,” necessitates another bid.

Initial Ruling in the Case

The case initially saw a favorable ruling for Harabin at the end of May last year. Ján Buvala, a single judge at the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok, acquitted him, concluding the alleged act wasn’t a criminal offense.

Police initially charged the former presidential candidate almost four years ago, detaining him for several hours in May 2022. Even then, Harabin stood firm on his position, stating, “I said the status, and I insist on that status, that it is my opinion. I condemned the killing of civilians in the Donbas.” A Facebook post containing this statement has since disappeared, though Harabin claims he did not delete it.