Video Footage of Fatal Police Intervention in Slovenia Sparks Outrage

Screenshot from police bodycam video. Photo: 24ur.com. A video published in Slovenia on Wednesday night showing a police intervention in the capital Ljubljana, following which 37-year-old Armin Djutovic died in hospital three days later, has caused public anger. The police’s body-camera footage shows part of the intervention in December 2024, during which Djutovic told officers that he cannot breathe. The video obtained by Slovenian media outlet 24ur and POP TV shows officers taking him to the ground after which one of them held him in a neck hold for more than a minute. “I’m going to die, please, I can’t breathe,” Djutovic is heard saying in the recording. After being handcuffed, he remained motionless for several minutes. Several police officers stood around him and, according to the indictment, did not administer first aid immediately. Six police officers face prosecution for their involvement. The incident took place on December 8, 2024, on Copova Street in Ljubljana, but release of the footage has sparked outrage. Police intervened following a report that a man was scattering and damaging chairs on a café terrace. According to police, Djutovic subsequently struck a Dutch national and, during the intervention, resisted and attempted to flee. The prosecution has charged police officer Jan Dovnik with placing Djutovic in a neck hold from behind and continuing to apply pressure after he had lost consciousness. Dovnik is charged with causing his death through negligence. Five other police officers have been charged with failure to render aid. Djutovic suffered cardiac arrest and sustained severe, irreversible brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. He was transported to hospital but died on December 11, 2024. A review by the Interior Ministry previously determined that the intervention was carried out unprofessionally and disproportionately and that first aid was not administered immediately. The use of physical force against Djutovic, who was already handcuffed, was deemed unlawful, unprofessional and disproportionate. Miroslav Zaberl, an expert from the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, told media outlet 24ur Zvecer that, in his opinion, professional errors were evident. “Most likely, the hold was too tight and lasted too long, and the officer failed to notice that the person had stopped breathing for some time. I also see officers who did not react immediately,” he said. However, Igor Toplak, of the Police Union, urged that the findings of court-appointed experts and the court’s decision be awaited before drawing final conclusions. Criminal proceedings against the six officers involved are ongoing at the Ljubljana District Court.