Lehel 'Gravedigger' H. Accused of Five Murders Not Released from Custody

Bratislava, February 22 (TASR) - The Specialised Criminal Court (STS) in Pezinok (Bratislava region) did not release from custody Lehel 'Gravedigger' H., who stands accused of five murders, theft of money and supporting an organised criminal group, TASR learnt on Monday. The court rejected the request he submitted on Monday. The decision is not valid, the accused has filed a complaint, which will be decided by the Supreme Court. The reasons for the custody of the accused continue. The court rejected the request and the possibility to replace the custody with restrictions. The trial will be held in April and May. Several members of the erstwhile Sator gang will testify about the seven acts. Gravedigger, who according to the prosecution stole 45.5 million Slovak crowns (approximately €1.5 million) and killed five people, of whom four were victims of premeditated murder, stated at the very beginning of the proceedings that he"s not interested in a plea bargain. Among the victims was his own boss Lajos Sator, with Gravedigger confessing to the murder of the gang leader in 2010. Sator's body hasn"t been found to this day, with testimonies claiming that his remains were dug up and reburied at various locations several times. Another victim was Andrej Reisz, who was considered to be the accountant of the gang. Lehel H. allegedly killed him in 2006, following an agreement with other members of the group. Gravedigger's first murder dates back to 2003. He first shot his victims and then put their bodies through a meat-grinder before pouring the resulting mixture into a river or burying it at a desolate chicken farm in Dunajska Streda (Trnava region). Lehel H. was remanded in custody by the Supreme Court in April 2020, with the charges following in September. am/mcs