News roundup - Saturday, 13 May

Fmr money laundering tzar investigated for abuse of office

LJUBLJANA - News portals N1 and Necenzurirano reported that an investigation had been launched into suspected abuse of office by former director of the Office for Money Laundering Prevention Damjan Žugelj over a massive investigation reportedly connected to an alleged deal between the then PM Janez Janša and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The two politicians were allegedly interested in dealings of their rivals. Janša rejected the allegations as absurd insinuations.

All-day celebrations mark Armed Forces Day

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) Day, remembering the day in 1991 when the first generation of Slovenian conscripts started training, was celebrated with a series of dynamic demonstrations by soldiers around Stožice Arena and a concert. Addressing the evening ceremony, President and the Supreme Commander of the SAF Nataša Pirc Musar expressed gratitude to the members of Slovenian armed forces for their dedication and professionalism. Defence Minister Marjan Šarec highlighted the investments underway to modernise the SAF, triggered in part by the challenging security situation in Europe.

March for Life held in Maribor

MARIBOR - Around 100 people gathered for what was the first March for Life in Maribor. Movement leader Urša Cankar Soares expressed hope that marches for life would spread to cities all across the country in the future. Today's crowd in Maribor was carrying banners objecting not only abortion but also euthanasia. Recently, an association campaigning for dignified old age launched a campaign for a bill on assisted suicide. The bill has been criticised by the Medical Ethics Commission and the Catholic Church.

Kopitar-less Slovenia opening IIHF World Championship

RIGA, Latvia - The Slovenian men's ice hockey team, which is back in the elite division of the IIHF World Championship, opened the tournament co-hosted by Finland's Tampere and Latvia's Riga against Switzerland. Slovenia will play without superstar Anže Kopitar, who decided to skip the tournament to recuperate from injuries. Playing in the preliminary round group B in Riga, Slovenia will face another six opponents in a bid to finish among the top four and secure the quarter-finals.

Two dead in pile-up of 11 vehicles on Dolenjska motorway

LJUBLJANA - A multi-vehicle collision near Višnja Gora on the A2 motorway between Ljubljana and Novo Mesto claimed at least two lives. Eleven cars and lorries were involved in the crash, and the two fatalities died at the site, the Ljubljana police have said. Eleven people were injured and nine were taken to the Ljubljana UKC hospital for treatment. The motorway remains closed.