Bojan

Celje – After a decade-long investigation, corruption trial will start in the case of a EUR 1.4 billion generator project at the Šoštanj coal-fired power station TEŠ. Twelve individuals and two legal entities face charges on multiple counts. The arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

Bern – The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) has addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Janez Janša calling on him to resolve the dispute with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) while expressing concern about Janša’s tweet accusing STA director Bojan Veselinovič of being an accomplice to the “murder” of former STA editor-in-chief Borut Meško.

Ljubljana – The National Assembly has narrowly rejected opposition-sponsored changes to the act on the construction of a new railway line between the port of Koper and Divača seeking to strike out the option that allows foreign capital to be invested in the project. Coalition MPs pointed to the role of foreign countries in the port’s development.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor insists that financing of the public service performed by the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) must be restored, his office told the STA after the president yesterday tweeted that the agency plays an irreplaceable role.

Pahor served as prime minister when the act governing the STA was adopted, securing the agency’s editorial and financial independence.

Ljubljana, 3 May – A month-long fundraising campaign kicked off on World Press Freedom Day in a bid to secure funding for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), which has not received budget funds for the performance of public service for four months.

Ljubljana – The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, EUR 2.5 million granted by Slovenia to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) in compensation to fulfil its public service mission.

Ljubljana – The police is leading an investigation to determine whether there are elements of suspected criminal acts prosecutable ex officio based on allegations of irregularities regarding the STA. Investigators visited the STA chief supervisor based on a number of reports of these allegations and not based on a government decree, the police has said.

Ljubljana – Slovenian Press Agency (STA) director Bojan Veselinovič has told the government he is granting it access to all books of account and documents, even though the STA has never received a formal request to that effect. He said the government should say, in writing, who will access the documents on its behalf and in what way.

Ljubljana – The prime minister’s office maintains that the Government Communication Office (UKOM) does not need any special authorisation from the government to act as the government’s representative in relation to the STA.

Laško/Podčetrtek/Zreče/Bled – Slovenian health resorts were closed during the first lockdown in spring 2020 and have now been closed a second time since October, admitting only patients sent there for rehabilitation. They have suffered a significant drop in revenue and hope that legislation being drafted by the government will help the sector get back on its feet.