By: Nova24tv.si
The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy does not live up to its name. A much more fitting name would be the Legal Network for the Protection of Individuals and Leftist Interests. After their attack on independent journalist Luka Perš, the public has taken notice of another one of their “historical achievements” – the defence of an exhibitionist display at the infamous Fotopub.
The defence of exhibitionism was first announced on social media. “Several artists contacted the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy after receiving fines accusing them of indecent behaviour under Article 7 of the ZJRM-1 (https://zakonodaja.com/…/zjrm-1/7-clen-nedostojno-vedenje). The fine was issued because, as part of the art installation ‘Breathe’ at the Fotopub gallery, they stood naked in the shop window with plastic bags over their heads. A passerby was disturbed by this, called the police, and each artist was fined 208.00 euros,” they posted on their Facebook profile on August 17th, 2021.
By September 30th, they boasted about their success: “With the help of attorney Tina Kikelj, we filed an appeal against the fine, arguing that the exposed bodies, claiming the right to live freely in the nude, represent a constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of artistic expression. In the decision process, the police themselves reassessed that this was a form of artistic expression, which is protected by both the Slovenian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, even if it might be shocking to some. The procedure has been halted for all seven participants.”
“Fotopub Scandal”
The Fotopub scandal is well known to our readers. It erupted in August 2022 when an Instagram profile titled “Against the Violence of Dušan Smodej” surfaced, filled with shocking allegations against the artist and gallery owner Dušan Smodej. He was accused of crimes against sexual integrity, facilitating the use of illegal drugs, and causing injuries. The scandal rocked the Slovenian public, as Smodej was (and perhaps still is) part of the broader far-left milieu. Soon after the scandal broke, social media shared videos of Minister Mesec (HERE), who apparently attended at least one of Smodej’s parties. It also became clear that certain individuals involved in the Fotopub scandal were associated with the March 8th Institute.