Slovenian ministers resign amid government crisis after fatal nightclub beating sparks furore

Slovenia's interior and justice ministers resigned following the fatal beating of a man by a 21-year-old suspect of Roma background outside a nightclub in Novo Mesto, as Prime Minister Robert Golob warned against inciting ethnic hatred while promising "serious" measures in response.

Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar and Justice Minister Andreja Katič submitted resignations that Golob accepted, with both citing "objective responsibility" for deteriorating security in southeastern Slovenia, where violence involving the Roma minority has recently escalated.

Aleš Šutar, 48, died after sustaining severe head injuries when he rushed to rescue his son from threats at the LokalPatriot club in Novo Mesto on 25 October. A group of Roma men are said to have attacked him outside the venue after midnight, leaving him in critical condition before he died in hospital.

Police arrested a suspect hours later at his home in nearby Mihovica. The 21-year-old faces five to 15 years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death. According to domestic media reports, he has no adult criminal record but was prosecuted as a minor.

"People have the right to safety, and that right was not fulfilled yesterday. I know that today we all feel sadness, anger, and even fear. That is understandable," Golob said.

"However, we must not allow that pain to turn into revenge or hatred. That would only deepen the wounds and tear society apart," he pointed out.

The prime minister rejected calls for his own resignation, saying it would constitute "escape from responsibility." He pledged legislation to prevent similar tragedies while warning against "using the tragedy to incite hatred" that would "deepen wounds and further divide the community."

Katič said his resignation aimed "to contribute to calming the situation." Poklukar declared any violence in society unacceptable while taking responsibility for security failures.

Golob has since proposed a so-called "Šutar Law", named after the victim of the nightclub assault.

Proposed legislation would allow police to immediately remove repeat offenders from public areas, close premises where crimes are incited, conduct warrantless security operations involving weapons, restrict legal aid and social benefits for recidivists and enable the seizure of assets disproportionate to declared income.

'Legislation is the same for everyone'

The murder shocked Slovenia, with social media adopting the hashtag "vsismolahkoAco" ("we could all easily be Acos") after Šutar's nickname. The popular barman at Pri vodnjaku pub was remembered by his brother Janez, who recalled climbing Slovenia's highest peak Triglav together.

In a post on X, Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar said that the local communities and law enforcement need to "do everything necessary to ensure safety".

"Cooperation between municipalities where Roma live and the government is the only correct and necessary way forward", wrote Pirc Musar, and called on the Roma community to "take responsibility for its actions".

"Legislation is the same for everyone, it must be effective for everyone. However, it is not just about legislation, but also about basic human norms," she said.

"It is unacceptable that Roma carry out intimidation and violence against local residents, which unfortunately this time has the worst consequences. There is and cannot be an excuse or justification for such actions", Pirc Musar explained.

Roma Community Council President Jožek Horvat Muc condemned "all acts of violence, serious breaches of security and endangering the lives of all citizens."

Police deployed additional officers to southeastern Slovenia, raising the number of reinforcements above that in any other part of the country.

The incident follows June's beating of Ribnica Mayor Samo Pogorelc by three men at a firemen's ball. Two of the attackers are allegedly of Roma background. The trial before a Ljubljana court is ongoing.

Slovenia's 2002 census recorded 3,246 Slovenian citizens who are part of the Roma minority, though the Council of Europe estimates 8,500, and other sources suggest 7,000-12,000.

Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Janez Janša called for Golob's resignation and announced a protest rally outside parliament. The legislature faces calls for an extraordinary convocation to address the crisis.

Novo Mesto, hometown of Slovenian-born US First Lady Melania Trump, has a population of 24,000 and sits halfway between Ljubljana and Zagreb near the Croatian border.