Slovenia tightens penalties and grants significantly greater powers to the police

(Patria) - Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob presented a package of security improvement measures at a session of the Novo Mesto City Council, announcing a decisive crackdown on crime.

The measures are consolidated into a so-called "Šutar Law", named after the recently deceased Aleš Šutar, and are being introduced in response to a tragic event in the city, writes N1 Slovenia.

- I want Aleš Šutar's death not to be in vain - Golob said.

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Slovenia introduces emergency measures after brutal murder in Novo Mesto

(Patria) - Following the fatal attack on a 48-year-old man in Novo mesto, the Slovenian government held an emergency meeting where measures to improve the security situation were agreed upon. State Secretary for National and International Security Vojk

He emphasized that he had promised this to the deceased's wife, and then presented the key areas in which the government plans to take radical steps.

Thousands of people gathered today in the main square of Novo Mesto for a protest organized after the tragic death of caterer Aleš Šutar (48), who died after a fight last Saturday.

Šutar was killed on the night between Friday and Saturday while protecting his son, who was being harassed by a group of Roma in front of the local nightclub LokalPatriot.

When he tried to help his son, one of the attackers hit him in the head, causing severe head injuries, internal bleeding, and a fractured cervical vertebra, which led to his death.

The first area concerns security, and Golob announced that the police will receive significantly greater powers. This includes easier implementation of raids and surveillance of high-risk areas.

Specific measures include:
‣ More effective regulation of police entry into someone's apartment or other private spaces;
‣ Authority to conduct security operations to protect human life and health when there is a threat with weapons or other dangerous objects;
‣ The possibility for the police to immediately remove a person from a certain area if they violate public order, with a ban on return if they repeat the offense;
‣ Authority for the police to request the immediate closure of premises and the cessation of gatherings if criminal offenses are occurring or being incited there.

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Two Slovenian ministers resign due to murder in Novo Mesto

(Patria) - Slovenian Ministers of Justice Andreja Katič and Interior Boštjan Poklukar resigned today, after a man (48) was beaten to death in front of a bar in Novo Mesto. The murder occurred on the night between Friday and Saturda

Outgoing Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar explained that most of the new measures will only be applicable in cases where weapons or dangerous objects threaten human life or health.

The second area covers measures related to the judicial system. Proposals include limiting the right to free legal aid for individuals who repeatedly commit offenses or criminal acts (recidivists), as well as other measures to prevent the abuse of this right.

Amendments to the Criminal Code will abolish private prosecution for certain criminal offenses, meaning the prosecution will act ex officio.

Furthermore, amendments to the Enforcement Act will enable the collection of unpaid fines from repeat offenders from monetary income that was previously exempt from enforcement.

The third set of measures relates to social protection. According to Golob, social benefits will be limited for those who repeatedly commit offenses and criminal acts.

The abolition of child allowance for families where minor girls become pregnant has also been announced, because, as Golob stated, "we cannot encourage girls to have children before the age of 18".

Minister of Labour Luka Mesec stated that a law is being prepared whose fundamental message is that violence and crime will not be rewarded.

- This law will stipulate that the welfare state will no longer be tolerant of repeat offenders and perpetrators of criminal acts - Mesec said, emphasizing that "he hears the people and that Šutar's death will not be in vain".

The last area concerns the confiscation of assets of illegal origin. A simplified determination of the discrepancy between the value of assets and declared income is being introduced. If a discrepancy is found, the assets can be temporarily confiscated immediately on the spot.

Another measure will allow tax enforcement for the collection of unpaid fines to include monetary income that, according to current regulations, was previously exempt or limited from enforcement.