Slovenian PM faces criminal complaint for ‘interfering in police affairs’

The Slovenian police filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Robert Golob late Tuesday over alleged “interfering in police affairs.”

The complaint, filed with the country’s Specialised Public Prosecutor’s Office, is based on the allegations of the former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and former interim police chief Boštjan Lindav about undue political pressure applied by Golob on the interior ministry and the police. While the exact nature of the crime mentioned in the criminal complaint has not been made public, Golob has been accused of “committing a crime of corruption,” Slovenian news outlet N1 said.

Golob rejected the allegations Wednesday morning, and said he finds the fact that police filed a report against him “bizarre.”

“In reality, this is not about any 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 are talking today about the fact that a police report has been filed on this account,” he added.

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

Bobnar, who currently works as an adviser to the Slovenian president, resigned as interior minister in December 2022 over a spat in which she accused Golob of exerting political pressure on her to influence staffing in the police, relating to his refusal to extend the tenure of Lindav as police chief.

The criminal complaint is a result of two years of police investigation following Bobnar’s allegations. The Specialised Public Prosecutor’s Office can now file a direct indictment, request a judicial investigation in which additional evidence will be sought, or dismiss the complaint.

POLITICO has contacted Slovenian police for a comment.