Lyudmila Novak about Stevanović: "I would definitely prefer to see someone else in this place". She also highlighted the name of ...

The third legally binding conviction against Zoran Stevanović has been revealed. President of the National Council Zoran Stevanović stated he does not intend to comment on old cases. According to media reports, Stevanović was convicted in 2011 for fraud, having borrowed money from a victim and offering her a car that was not his. He received a six-month conditional prison sentence and was ordered to repay the stolen funds. The conviction became legally binding one year later after he appealed. The case emerged through a report by television channel POP TV, which cited information from Miran Šubic of the Kranjski portal Trma.si. In response to the disclosure, the office of the president of the National Council stated that Stevanović “does not intend to comment on old, concluded, and deleted cases that are not related to his political activities.” They emphasized that Stevanović can at any time present proof of being free of criminal records, and that no criminal proceedings are ongoing against him. Ljudmila Novak, a former European Parliament member and current guest on the TV Slovenia show Odmevi, commented on the revelations during her appearance. She noted that such convictions reflect poorly on a person, even though they have been erased due to completed sentences. She expressed a preference for someone else in the position, suggesting Ivo Dimic as a more credible candidate for the role of president of the National Council. Novak criticized the current situation, stating that it is the result of coalition-building and political maneuvering. She also pointed out that some individuals who were accused of corruption have not faced consequences, implying that this case is not unique in Slovenian politics. Novak further remarked that while she hopes Stevanović will act differently now, she acknowledges that citizens have chosen these leaders. She stressed that the same standards should apply to all citizens in Slovenia. Additional coverage from other sources confirmed that Stevanović had previously been convicted at least three times. One case involved him attempting to defraud an insurance company, leading to a claim for over 7,600 euros in damages. Another case dated back to 2003, where he allegedly threatened a man with death, resulting in a fine for threatening public safety. The latest revelation came from documents obtained by the Trma.si portal, which detailed a 2020 case involving false statements about a council member, Janez Černet, leading to a delayed court decision. This suggests a fourth potential conviction, although its legal status remains unclear. Stevanović himself responded to the new allegations by posting on Facebook a certificate confirming he currently has no criminal record. He argued that past incidents, unrelated to his political work, should not distract from efforts against organized political crime. He referenced recent developments involving Golobov’s criminal case, indicating that similar actions could occur in September. Legal experts note that under the Criminal Code, a conditional sentence can be removed from criminal records one year after the probation period, provided the individual does not commit another offense. Therefore, the absence of active charges against Stevanović aligns with this legal framework. Despite the official stance that these matters are outdated, the disclosures continue to raise questions about transparency and accountability within political leadership. The ongoing discussions highlight the complexity of reconciling past legal issues with current political roles.