Slovenian PM faces criminal complaint for ‘interference in police affairs’ – POLITICO

Slovenian police filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Robert Golob on Tuesday evening for “interference in police affairs”.

The complaint, filed with the country’s specialized prosecutor’s office, is based on allegations by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and former acting police chief Boštjan Lindav regarding Golob’s unjustified political pressure on the Ministry of the Interior and the police. Although the exact nature of the crime mentioned in the criminal complaint has not been made public, Golob was accused of “committing a corruption crime”, Slovenian media outlet N1 said.

Golob rejected the allegations Wednesday morning and said he found it “bizarre” that police had filed a complaint against him.

“In reality, this is not any interference in police work, but a political fight that Tatjana Bobnar has been waging since her resignation two years ago,” Golob said.

“It’s the word against the word of two politicians, and I find it really strange that we are talking today about the fact that a police complaint was filed on this subject,” he added. .

“I myself believe in the rule of law and therefore I will respond to all accusations and dismiss them through legal channels.”

Bobnar, who currently works as an advisor to the Slovenian president, resigned as interior minister in December 2022 following a row in which she accused Golob of exerting political pressure on her to influence the staff of the police, due to its refusal to extend Lindav’s mandate as police chief.

The criminal complaint is the result of a two-year police investigation into Bobnar’s allegations. The specialized public prosecutor’s office can now file a direct indictment, request a judicial investigation during which additional evidence will be sought, or even reject the complaint.

POLITICO has contacted Slovenian police for comment.