By: Vida Kocjan
Dolenjska has had enough! A tragedy occurred on Saturday night outside a bar in the centre of Novo Mesto, a spot where young people gather. A group attacked a father who had come to the bar to pick up his son. The son had called him because he was being threatened by Roma individuals. The father’s act of parental concern cost him his life. Aleš Šutar, aged 48, a father of two and a well-liked figure in Novo Mesto, died. He was reportedly killed with a cold weapon, though this detail has not been disclosed to the public by Golob’s administration. Foreign media have reported on it.
According to eyewitness accounts, the son called his father because he felt unsafe due to harassment by Roma individuals. The father tried to calm the situation, but was surrounded, three in front of him, two behind, and brutally beaten. One of the blows proved fatal. Aleš Šutar, aged 48, father of two and a well-liked figure in Novo Mesto, died.
One witness stated that the ambulance took a long time to arrive, security guards reportedly just watched, and the perpetrators remained in the bar all evening. They had already assaulted someone earlier, prompting police intervention. They returned and behaved as if nothing had happened.
More than 15 Roma harassed and intimidated youths
Rok Vovko, a respected innkeeper from the Novo Mesto area, wrote on social media that more than 15 Roma were intimidating and harassing young people outside the student bar. An hour before Aleš Šutar’s murder, a fight broke out between the alleged killer, a 21-year-old Roma from Šentjernej, and another young man of Albanian nationality. The latter was seriously injured, Vovko wrote, adding: “Police arrived, took down the names, issued fines, and left. Then came the fatal incident in which our friend and peaceful fellow citizen, who was nearby, tragically died. He wanted to protect his son from violence, as any father would.”
He further explained that such incidents in Dolenjska are “sadly not rare.” He asked who in the government and parliament will take responsibility, and whether Prime Minister Robert Golob will act to protect honest, hardworking people and their children. Will he finally restore order where it is most needed?
Golob and the government reportedly acted “ignorant” all Saturday. The Prime Minister responded on social media only in the early hours of Sunday, several hours after it was already known that Aleš Šutar had died in hospital due to Roma-related violence, and 24 hours after the incident outside the bar.
Police remain silent
The police were also notably silent, even though tensions in Novo Mesto ran high all Saturday. The first statement from the Novo Mesto Police Directorate came only late in the afternoon. They reported being informed of the incident on Rozmanova Street shortly after 2:30 a.m. They stated that the assaulted man was taken to the hospital (just a few hundred meters from the bar) and was seriously injured according to medical staff. Based on information received later, police located and detained a 20-year-old suspect. As is typical under this government, his identity was not disclosed.
Municipality highlights Roma issue
The Municipality of Novo Mesto was more transparent. They were the first to speak out and provided more details to the public. They condemned the attack on the citizen, stating that the violent incident “sadly proves that the Roma issue, which mayors of southeastern Slovenia and Posavje have been warning about for some time, is visibly worsening.” They emphasised that the only authority responsible for resolving the issue is the state, which “despite the seriousness of the situation, is not taking action.” They added that “the assaulted citizen is currently in critical condition, and the perpetrator is in police custody.” Aleš Šutar later died. Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar and Police Director Damjan Petrič stated on the TV show 24ur that “the victim’s condition is stable.” At that time, Aleš Šutar had already been dead for at least two hours. This further illustrates the unacceptable conduct of the authorities. Neither official had even inquired about the status of the victim of Roma violence.
The municipality also reported that Mayor Gregor Macedoni is in regular contact with police representatives and is urging the relevant authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violence. He demanded immediate action both in response to the attack and in amending criminal legislation. “Government representatives, Ministry of Justice officials, and the judicial system must realise that there is too much protection of the guilty and too little protection of the innocent.” They added that southeastern Slovenia has too many real victims suffering permanent physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorders, and now also the death of a citizen.
The municipality further warned of deteriorating security conditions in this part of Slovenia. Citizens rightly expect active and fair action from the responsible authorities, who must do everything necessary to ensure their safety, regardless of the ethnic group to which the perpetrators of criminal acts belong.
Emergency session of the municipal council, rally, and protest
Later, the mayor convened an emergency session of the municipal council. It took place on Tuesday and focused exclusively on the security situation in the region. Invited to the session were Prime Minister Robert Golob, Ministers Boštjan Poklukar and Luka Mesec (Labour), and Minister of Justice Andreja Katič. Also invited were the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Slovenia Katarina Bergant, Vice President of the Supreme Court Nina Betetto, Director General of Police Damjan Petrič, Novo Mesto Police Director Igor Juršič, and Acting Director of the Office for National Minorities Danica Polak Gruden.
At the same time, the municipality called on citizens to attend a rally for improved security, which took place during the emergency session. Further reporting on this is expected.
Tribute to the late Aleš
Tensions ran high in Novo Mesto and the surrounding area. On Sunday, residents lit candles throughout the day at the site where 48-year-old Aleš Šutar died. Despite rain and low temperatures, more than a thousand people silently lit candles in his memory, many with tears in their eyes.
Golob hid from the public
That afternoon, Robert Golob, Boštjan Poklukar, and Andreja Katič visited Novo Mesto, but showed no empathy by failing to visit the site of the tragedy or light a candle. On the contrary, Golob feared citizens and journalists, so he sent a special police unit ahead of his visit. He was brought in a darkened vehicle and deliberately avoided meeting citizens, the victim’s family, and Aleš’s coworkers from the nearby bar Pri vodnjaku, where he had worked. Golob was brought in through a side street and entered through the back door, he did not dare face the people.
After meeting with the mayor and his team, including recently assaulted Ribnica mayor Samo Pogorevc, Golob spoke about the need for drastic legislative changes. However, he made no concrete promises, as Novo Mesto mayor Gregor Macedoni later stated on the evening show Ura moči on Planet TV.
Katič and Poklukar resigned, but that is not a solution
Before that, it was revealed that Poklukar and Katič had resigned from their ministerial posts. Katič had already told journalists on Sunday morning, before the joint meeting, that she would offer her resignation to Golob. Poklukar made no statements upon arriving at the government palace, and some reported he “would not resign under any circumstances.” Then came a reversal: both resigned, and Golob accepted. This was seen as a move to save his own skin. He claimed that “his resignation at this moment would only be an escape from responsibility.” It also emerged that Katič had wanted to resign as Minister of Justice earlier, when SD MP Jani Prednik stepped down. As the next in line for the parliamentary seat, she was expected to replace him, but sources say SD prevented her resignation. Now she found a way out. The ministry was reportedly in disarray, and Katič was unable to manage the justice system. She had succeeded Dominika Švarc Pipan, known for the scandal involving the purchase of a building on Litijska Street in Ljubljana.
Janša: Golob and the coalition bear indirect responsibility for the death
The violence in Novo Mesto and the Saturday tragedy that claimed the life of a young man and father sparked widespread reactions. One of the first to respond was Janez Janša, president of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS).
Janša first expressed condolences to the family and friends of Aleš Šutar, then wrote that Prime Minister Robert Golob and his coalition bear indirect responsibility for the death. “We have reached a point where eyewitnesses to the murder are afraid to speak on camera.” – “The Prime Minister appointed an incompetent Minister Poklukar and an incompetent Minister Katič, supported them in their ignorance of the Roma issue and their double standards. He ignored warnings from affected citizens, mayors, and the opposition. Worse still, the ruling coalition mocked proposals from mayors and the opposition that aimed to curb and prevent violence. Instead of protecting the people, the government protected criminals.”
Janša announced a large protest in Ljubljana to coincide with the emergency parliamentary session on Roma issues. The protest will demand accountability from all those who have buried their heads in the sand.
Janez Janša: “The only decent move the Prime Minister can make now is to resign immediately”
According to Janša, those responsible for the death of the father who tried to protect his son from a Roma attack are:
“- Leftist politics and politicians for establishing double standards;
– The judiciary and prosecution for applying double standards in punishing Roma criminal offenses;
– The Minister and police leadership for downplaying serious warnings and signs of a deteriorating security situation.
The only decent move the Prime Minister can make now is to resign immediately. Otherwise, protests in Novo Mesto will not be enough, we will have to go to Gregorčičeva Street in Ljubljana.”
Previous government and mayors prepared reforms, Golob’s coalition rejected them four times
Gregor Macedoni, mayor of Novo Mesto, expressed outrage at the actions of Golob’s coalition. On Sunday evening, he told Planet TV that even now, Robert Golob “has promised them nothing.”
The ruling parties (Freedom Movement, SD, and Levica) mocked the proposals of mayors and the opposition (SDS and NSi) aimed at limiting and preventing violence. Numerous attempts were made to convince those in Ljubljana that the problems were serious, that the situation would not improve without proper legal reforms, and that the motivation was not hatred but a desire to solve real issues.
To recall: a package of legislative reforms had already been prepared by Janša’s government, but there was not enough time to pass them. Golob’s coalition then rejected them with smiles and mockery. Later, mayors from eleven municipalities in Southeast Slovenia (Dolenjska, Bela krajina, Kočevje-Ribnica area) and Posavje reviewed the proposals and submitted them to parliament with over 31,000 voter signatures. The reforms aimed to provide systemic solutions, especially to the Roma issue. Golob’s parliamentary majority rejected them four times.