Marian Kočner, facing charges related to the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, categorically denied any association with the crime during his testimony at a specialized criminal court. He stated, "I have never ordered a murder in my life nor entrusted anyone with such an act. I have never used violence. There is no violent act in my life history." Kočner emphasized that he had never financed any actions against Kuciak or anyone else, asserting that such claims are untrue.

In his account, Kočner recounted his limited interactions with Kuciak, noting that he first noticed the journalist at a press conference and had only contacted him once via email and another time through a phone call. He claimed that Kuciak’s articles did not interest him and dismissed any allegations of a motive behind the murder. This statement surfaced during a tense court exchange when the father of the murdered journalist confronted Kočner regarding a Christmas greeting he had sent to Kuciak in December 2017, to which Kočner responded that he could not recall it.

The ongoing trial has attracted significant public and media attention due to the high-profile nature of the case, which reflects broader issues of press freedom and safety of journalists in Slovakia. Kočner's insistence on his innocence and his portrayal as a victim could affect public perception, potentially complicating the proceedings as the scrutiny on the judicial system continues amidst widespread concerns over corruption and accountability in the context of the assassination of a reporter investigating high-level corruption.