Slovenian Justice Minister Andreja Katič and Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar resigned today, following the death of a 48-year-old man who was beaten by a member of the Roma minority in front of a bar in Novo Mesto.
The attack occurred on the night of Friday to Saturday (around 2:30 a.m.), when the 48-year-old came to pick up his son, who had called him because of threats from several Roma.
"By resigning, I want to contribute to calming the situation, everyone must think about their responsibility," Katic said at an emergency press conference, while the interior minister added that he "assumes objective responsibility."
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob also spoke at the conference, announcing urgent legal changes regarding Roma issues and security.
"Violence does not disappear overnight. It is born in an environment where punishment does not follow the deed, where justice is delayed and where responsibility loses meaning. Yesterday's event shook us all," said Golob.
Police announced that a 21-year-old suspect has been arrested.
Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar has requested an extraordinary session of the National Assembly (Slovenian parliament) in response to the tragic event in Novo Mesto, while the leader of the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party, Janez Janša, has called for a rally in Ljubljana as an expression of dissatisfaction with the failure to resolve the Roma issue.
The National Security Council, among other things, decided to send additional police forces to Novo Mesto, and if necessary, to send a special police unit.
Citizens have been gathering in the center of Novo Mesto since morning to light candles for the deceased local resident.
Bonus video:
