On December 10, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control designated Marian Kocner as a person who is responsible for, complicit in, or had directly or indirectly engaged in serious human rights abuses. Mr. Kocner and six entities are designated pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, to target perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption.
Mr. Kocner threatened Jan Kuciak, a reporter who was investigating Kocner’s corrupt dealings. Mr. Kuciak’s investigative journalism exposed millions of Euros earned through fraudulent tax returns from Slovakia, through a complicated series of financial transactions. Kuciak was also responsible for dozens of exposes on Mr. Kocner’s corrupt dealings and highlighted connections to the police and prosecutors. Mr. Kocner also hired a former Slovak Intelligence Service member to surveil Mr. Kuciak ahead of his eventual murder. Slovak authorities charged Mr. Kocner with hiring a hitman to kill Kuciak, who was killed together with his finance, Martina Kusnirova.
This U.S. government action will ensure that Mr. Kocner will not use U.S. financial systems or any financial resources in the United States to undermine any legal proceedings. It also protects the U.S. financial system from potential abuse by Mr. Kocner.
As a result of these actions, any property or interest in property, of Mr. Kocner or related entities within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Mr. Kocner and related entities are also prohibited from entering the United States of America. This action also demonstrates our unwavering support for human rights and the rule of law around the world, and our support for Slovak partners working to defend these shared values.
Individuals and Entities Sanctioned Under Today’s Action
Marian Kočner
Entities Owned or Controlled by Mr. Kočner
Správa a inkaso pohľadávok, s.r.o.
Správa a inkaso zmeniek, s.r.o.
Tranz-tel, a.s.
Hotel Holding, s.r.o.
International Investment Development Holding, a.s.
International Investment Hotels Holding, a.s.
