Slovenia's PM rejects accusations of interfering in police staffing

Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob on Wednesday rejected accusations by a former interior minister that he had interfered in police staffing after he was charged with corruption.

Tatjana Bobnar resigned two years ago after accusing Golob of putting pressure on her over some staff positions in the police. She reported him to the police and the prosecutor's office and briefed the parliamentary investigative commission about the alleged pressure on her ministry.

The Specialised Public Prosecutor's Office told Reuters it had this week received a criminal complaint from the police relating to "giving gifts for unlawful intermediation".

RTS SLO state television first reported late on Tuesday that the police had brought criminal charges against Golob, whose centre-left government, sworn in mid-2022, has outlined "depoliticisation of police" among its policy priorities.

"I fully reject all accusations," Golob told reporters at parliament. "In reality it is not about any interference in the work of the police but about Tatjana Bobnar's political struggle ever since her resignation two years ago."

"Today it is a political fight of an offended politician," he said.

He said he would follow all necessary legal procedures.

"I will testify when I get the summons. I have not received the invitation yet, today I am responding to the process that the police are conducting," he said.

The prosecutor's office may dismiss the police charges or file its own indictment based on them and request a judicial investigation.

Slovenia's government office did not respond to a call requesting further comment.