Former Miss World contestant who became Slovakian Prime Minister's 'chief state adviser' was intimately tied to his downfall over mafia scandal in 2018

A glamorous 'chief state adviser' to Robert Fico was intimately tied to his downfall over a mafia scandal in 2018.

Mr Fico, who came back to power last year, quit as prime minister less than three weeks after a wave of public revulsion over the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova.

The first journalist to be murdered for his work in Slovakia, Mr Kuciak was investigating organised crime links with the Fico government.

A 27-year-old former Miss World contestant who had also appeared in nude photoshoots, Maria Troskova was appointed by Fico despite her lack of experience. Subsequently dubbed the 'sexy assistant' by Slovak tabloids, the government refused to clarify why she was hired or the nature of her role.

But diplomats were incensed when the 'not very successful model with a dubious reputation' was allowed to attend meetings with German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Maria Troskova, a glamorous 'chief state adviser' to Robert Fico, was intimately tied to his downfall over a mafia scandal in 2018 (pictured: Ms Troskova and Mr Fico)

Mr Fico pictured with his wife Svetlana in March 2007. Mr Fico, who came back to power last year, quit as prime minister less than three weeks after a wave of public revulsion over the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova

A 27-year-old former Miss World contestant who had also appeared in nude photoshoots, Maria Troskova was appointed by Fico despite her lack of experience (pictured: Ms Troskova on the cover of a model magazine in 2009)

Mr Fico pictured at the EU Council building in Brussels in 2015

While investigating this apparently bizarre hire, Mr Kuciak is said to have discovered she had been in business with an expat member of the notorious Italian 'Ndrangheta mafia clan, which is linked to transporting cocaine and stealing EU subsidies.

Mr Kuciak was investigating whether Ms Troskova could have been a go-between for the mafia and the Slovak government when he was murdered, according to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Ms Troskova quit her role, saying that she 'categorically [refuted] any connection' to the twin murders, only to be followed out of the door by her former boss Mr Fico days later. Little appears to be known of Ms Troskova since her resignation. She could not be reached for comment.