Slovenian prime minister faces criminal charges for “interfering in police affairs” – POLITICO

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

The complaint, filed with the country’s special prosecutor’s office, is based on allegations by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and former interim police chief Boštjan Lindav about undue political pressure that Golob exerted on the Interior Ministry and the police. While the exact nature of the crime detailed in the criminal complaint was not made public, Golob was accused of “committing a corruption crime,” Slovenian news agency N1 said.

Golob denied the allegations on Wednesday morning, saying he found the fact that police had filed a complaint against him “bizarre.”

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

“It’s the word against the word of two politicians and I find it really bizarre that we’re talking today about the fact that this account has been reported to the police,” he added.

“I myself believe in the rule of law and will therefore respond to all allegations and reject them through the legal process.”

Bobnar, who currently works as an adviser to the Slovenian president, resigned as interior minister in December 2022 because she accused Golob of exerting political pressure on her to influence police staffing, in connection with his refusal to do so Term of office of Lindav as police chief to be extended.

The criminal complaint is the result of a two-year police investigation following Bobnar’s allegations. The Special Prosecutor’s Office can now file a direct indictment, request a judicial inquiry to obtain additional evidence, or dismiss the case.

POLITICO has reached out to Slovenian police for comment.