The Mafia Group is Selecting Land through Beneš Decrees, Says Former Head of the Land Fund Marosz
The former head of the Slovak Land Fund, Ján Marosz, claims that mafia groups exploit Beneš Decrees to acquire land, with minimal resistance from government officials.
Ján Marosz, the former director of the Slovak Land Fund (SPF), has raised concerns about how mafia elements are using the Beneš Decrees to select and acquire land in Slovakia. In a recent interview, he mentioned notable politicians Igor Matovič and Boris Kollár showed interest in land confiscations based on these decrees but did not oppose his attempts to halt such actions. Marosz suggests that there might be significant behind-the-scenes influences at play regarding these land acquisitions.
In May 2023, Marosz was dismissed from his position amid critiques regarding his management practices and allegations of nepotism. Despite these claims from employees and union members, he defended himself, suggesting that issues with land confiscations were more complex than they seemed. His removal was coincidental with the transition of the Ministry of Agriculture to a caretaker government led by Minister Jozef Bíreš.
Marosz's revelations highlight ongoing concerns over the influence of organized crime in Slovakia and the misuse of historical legislation meant to address injustices from World War II. With the current leadership of the SPF refusing to comment, this issue, critical to both land rights and social justice, continues to unfold, indicating a persistent struggle against corrupt practices intertwined with the governmental and legal frameworks.