Slovenia's parliament voted to remove parliamentary immunity from former Prime Minister Robert Golob, paving the way for a criminal investigation into his alleged interference in police operations during his tenure. The decision was made without debate, with 75 members of parliament, including Golob himself, voting in favor of lifting his immunity. No members voted against the measure. The Specialized State Prosecutor's Office had requested the parliament's decision, as Golob was elected as a member of parliament after the investigation began, granting him procedural immunity.
The charges against Golob stem from a notification by the prosecutor's office last week, alleging that he committed the crime of giving gifts for unlawful mediation while serving as prime minister. This relates to accusations of his alleged meddling in the work of the police, as reported by former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar. The prosecutor's office had filed a request for a judicial investigation with the Ljubljana District Court in October of the previous year, but the court had not yet ruled on the request.
Golob's lawyer, Stojan Zdolšek, confirmed that the notification from the prosecutor's office pertained to the Bobnar case. Golob had previously stated his intention not to invoke his immunity, expressing a desire for the criminal proceedings, which have been ongoing since 2022, to conclude swiftly. He believes his actions as prime minister were not in violation of expectations or responsibilities and that he did not commit any criminal offense, which he intends to prove in court. Despite Golob's stance, the Speaker of Parliament, Zoran Stevanović, called for Golob's resignation, criticizing the ruling party for defending a member suspected of a corrupt criminal act.
Separately, Robert Golob is also facing a lawsuit from current Prime Minister Janez Janša. Janša filed the lawsuit in March, demanding that Golob retract statements made during the election campaign, where Golob accused Janša of treason and "selling out the homeland," referencing the alleged Black Cube wiretapping affair. Janša is seeking a public apology from Golob, the removal of all relevant social media posts, and reimbursement for legal costs.
