Slovak businessman sentenced to 4 years’ jail in international money laundering case
Businessman jailed for four years for inciting undercover journalist to open companies
![Juraj Jariabka is carried away on a prison van after being sentenced to four years of imprisonment over money laundering. Photo: Nora Tam](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/2014/09/09/juraj_jariabka.jpg?itok=M-3RGiXa)
A Slovak businessman whose international money-laundering plot came undone at the hands of an undercover journalist was jailed for four years yesterday after a dramatic trial.
Juraj Jariabka looked sullen as Judge David Dufton handed down the sentence after a District Court trial that lasted almost four months.
He had denied one count of incitement to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, but Dufton found him guilty, making him the first person punished for that offence.
"Money laundering is a serious offence and deterrence is required," said Dufton, adding that the act helped to spread crime and undermined the integrity of the banking system. The fact he had no previous conviction "carried little weight" as he was a visitor, the judge added.
The conviction was the result of an undercover investigation by Italian journalist Antonio Papaleo, who became the key prosecution witness.
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