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Former Maribor E.R. supervisor threatened doctors and offered a bribe
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Former Maribor E.R. supervisor threatened doctors and offered a bribe

A former emergency room supervisor in Maribor, Škrinjar, allegedly threatened doctors and offered bribes during his hospital visit after a traffic accident. Dr. Simon Ranfl, an emergency medicine physician, stated that Škrinjar was initially uncooperative and refused blood tests due to alcohol consumption but eventually agreed to an alcohol test. However, he did not agree to a forced blood draw, citing lack of appropriate facilities. The police arrived with a court order for a forced blood draw, but Škrinjar physically resisted and threatened them. Dr. Ranfl claimed he did not see any money exchanged nor hear any bribery attempts. Police officer Dejan Lukačak confirmed that Škrinjar did not want to give blood out of fear of losing his driver’s license due to causing the accident. The trial will continue next year with new witnesses and potential video evidence from the police patrol at the hospital. Prosecution has requested the court to review a medical expert report regarding injuries sustained in the accident.

The trial of Damijan Skrinjar, a former supervisor for several public companies in Maribor, continued at the Maribor court with the testimony of two new witnesses regarding allegations that he attempted to bribe a doctor after a traffic accident in December 2023. Judge Maja Balazic heard statements from emergency physician Simon Ranfl and police officer Dejan Lukac. The defense requested that the court inquire whether a police patrol recorded the incident at the University Clinical Center Maribor, while the prosecution proposed introducing a letter from a pathologist expert witness. The judge deferred her decision on this evidentiary request. Skrinjar faces charges related to his conduct following a car crash that occurred on the last Friday before Christmas in 2023 in Spodnje Hoce. According to the testimony, Skrinjar arrived at the emergency department visibly intoxicated and aggressive. He refused to submit to a blood draw. Physician Simon Ranfl stated that he did not treat Skrinjar upon his initial arrival. Instead, colleagues asked for his assistance later because Skrinjar was physically resisting medical procedures and making threats. Ranfl explained that he agreed to help because he has experience persuading difficult patients and has generally been successful in such situations. During cross-examination by defense attorney Goran Janzekovic, Ranfl addressed why Skrinjar was not released home as demanded. The doctor noted that Skrinjar had not suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident. However, the medical staff could not release him due to his behavior. They were unable to perform a forced blood draw even after police officers arrived with a mandate for compulsory extraction. Ranfl cited the patient’s physical resistance and verbal threats as reasons why the procedure could not proceed safely. When questioned by prosecutor Aleksandra Majdic about Skrinjar’s motivation for refusing the test, Ranfl suggested the defendant realized that alcohol levels in the blood decrease over time. Regarding claims that Skrinjar carried a large sum of cash, Ranfl stated he personally neither saw the money nor heard any attempt at bribery, though others informed him of these details. Police officer Dejan Lukac testified that he and a colleague from the Maribor police station went to the hospital after receiving a report of a breach of public order and peace. Upon arrival, they did not observe the alleged bribery attempt, nor were they aware of it beforehand. After prolonged persuasion, Skrinjar agreed to a breathalyzer test but still refused the blood sample. Although the prosecutors issued a request for a forced blood draw, the attending physician declined to perform it, citing a lack of appropriate facilities for such a procedure against a resisting patient. Lukac expressed the view that Skrinjar avoided the blood test out of fear of legal consequences, specifically the potential revocation of his driver’s license resulting from causing the traffic accident. The officer noted that police began investigating the specific allegation of bribery only after the duty traumatologist, Ziga Horvat, filed a written complaint. The case involves a parallel criminal proceeding at the Maribor district court concerning the traffic accident itself. In that separate trial, forensic pathologist Rajko Kavalier prepared an opinion on the severity and nature of injuries sustained by the other party involved in the crash. Prosecutor Majdic proposed that the current court review a letter from Kavalier. In the document, Kavalier warned about a phone call from one of his former colleagues who inquired about the case, which Kavalier perceived as an attempt to influence his professional judgment. The defense opposed the introduction of this letter. Their argument was that the correspondence bore no connection to the specific charges of bribery against Skrinjar. Furthermore, the letter does not mention the accused by name. The defense also pointed out that the district court ultimately did not rely on Kavalier’s expert opinion in the previous criminal proceedings. Judge Balazic indicated she would decide later whether to admit this evidence. On the procedural side, the defense requested that the court contact Police Station Maribor 2 to determine if a police patrol unit recorded video footage of the events inside the clinical center. This inquiry stems from the fact that Officer Lukac could not recall during his testimony whether such recording took place. The trial will resume on January 19 with the hearing of additional witnesses. Unrelated to this trial, recent traffic incidents have occurred in the Maribor area. On October 19, 2026, a combined vehicle collided with a bus at the intersection of Ptujska and Trzaska streets. Firefighters rescued the bus driver through technical intervention, disconnected the battery, and cleaned up spilled fluids. Ten passengers were on board, and four were transported to the University Clinical Center Maribor with minor injuries. Both lanes of Ptujska street toward Ptuj were closed for several hours. Separately, a multi-vehicle collision involving personal cars occurred on Tito Street near the Telecom building, resulting in heavy traffic congestion and minor injuries to four individuals. Another incident on the Styrian motorway between Sentjakob and Domzale involved three vehicles around 8 p.m., closing the lane toward Trojan, though no injuries were reported in that specific crash. These recent accidents highlight ongoing traffic safety issues in the region distinct from the 2023 incident central to Skrinjar’s trial.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 5 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

7 reports

Maribor24 logoMaribor24IndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 90
Former Maribor E.R. supervisor threatened doctors and offered a bribe

A former emergency room supervisor in Maribor, Škrinjar, allegedly threatened doctors and offered bribes during his hospital visit after a traffic accident. Dr. Simon Ranfl, an emergency medicine physician, stated that Škrinjar was initially uncooperative and refused blood tests due to alcohol consumption but eventually agreed to an alcohol test. However, he did not agree to a forced blood draw, citing lack of appropriate facilities. The police arrived with a court order for a forced blood draw, but Škrinjar physically resisted and threatened them. Dr. Ranfl claimed he did not see any money exchanged nor hear any bribery attempts. Police officer Dejan Lukačak confirmed that Škrinjar did not want to give blood out of fear of losing his driver’s license due to causing the accident. The trial will continue next year with new witnesses and potential video evidence from the police patrol at the hospital. Prosecution has requested the court to review a medical expert report regarding injuries sustained in the accident.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a legal case involving alleged threats and bribery by a former hospital supervisor. It includes statements from both the prosecution and defense, providing multiple perspectives without overtly favoring one side. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language, making a

Why factuality (95): This article provides detailed accounts of the trial, including statements from Dr. Simon Ranfl and Police Officer Dejan Lukačak. It aligns closely with the third article, confirming the facts presented there. All claims are supported by direct quotes from individuals involved in the case.

Why objectivity (90): While the article is largely neutral, it occasionally uses phrases like 'agresiven' (aggressive) and 'vidno vinjenem stanju' (visibly drunk state) to describe Škrinjar, which may subtly influence reader perception. Overall, however, it remains fairly balanced.

Maribor24 logoMaribor24IndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 90
Traffic accident on the Proletarian Brigades road: Rescuing a bus driver, several passengers landed in the hospital (PHOTO)

A traffic accident occurred on October 19, 2026, at 14:13 on Proletarskih Brigad Street in Maribor, where a combined vehicle collided with a bus at the intersection of Ptujska Street and Tržaška Street. The incident caused both lanes of the road heading toward Ptuj to be closed for several hours. Firefighters from the Maribor Fire Department secured the scene, performed technical interventions to rescue the bus driver, disconnected the battery, and dealt with leaking fluids. There were 10 passengers on the bus, four of whom were taken to the Maribor University Clinical Centre by rescuers. The accident happened during a traffic jam, causing significant delays. According to the Maribor Police, several passengers sustained minor injuries, and police activities at the scene are ongoing, though the effects of the accident have been resolved.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a traffic accident with no political implications. It provides factual information about the event, including the time, location, involved parties, and outcomes, without any biased language or emphasis on political figures, policies, or controversies.

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the accident involving a bus and truck at the intersection of Proletarskih Brigad and Tržaška cesta in Maribor. It mentions the involvement of firefighters, the technical rescue of the bus driver, the number of passengers (10), and the four injured being taken to the h

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information neutrally, using straightforward language and avoiding any biased interpretation or emotional language. It provides factual updates from the fire department and police without apparent opinion.

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 90
Trial continues in Maribor in case of alleged attempt to bribe doctor

The trial at the Maribor Court continues regarding the alleged attempt by former supervisor Damijan Škrinjar to bribe a doctor at the UKC Maribor emergency center after a traffic accident in December 2023. During the hearing, Dr. Simon Ranfl, an emergency medicine physician, stated that Škrinjar was not treated upon his arrival but later requested assistance after refusing blood tests while visibly intoxicated and aggressive. Škrinjar refused blood tests despite police arriving with a court order, as he physically resisted and threatened. Dr. Ranfl suggested Škrinjar avoided blood tests because he knew alcohol levels would decrease over time. Police officer Dejan Lukačak confirmed that Škrinjar did not want to give blood due to fear of losing his driver’s license and potential legal consequences from causing the accident. The court will continue the trial next year, including questioning whether police recorded the incident at the hospital.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the ongoing trial, quoting both the accused, witnesses, and the prosecution without evident bias. It provides factual information about the proceedings, testimonies, and upcoming steps in the case without apparent ideological framing or selective emphasis.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports specific details from the court proceedings, including witness names (Dr. Simon Ranfl, Police Officer Dejan Lukač) and their testimonies regarding the incident at UKC Maribor. It correctly attributes statements to the respective speakers (doctor, prosecutor, defense at

Why objectivity (90): The tone is strictly journalistic and neutral. The text uses objective language to describe the defendant's actions ('visibly drunk', 'aggressive') based on witness testimony rather than editorial opinion. There is no evident bias or emotional loading; it simply presents the facts as stated by the w

24ur (POP TV) logo24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 80
Traffic accident blocks the Styrian highway near Šentjakob

A traffic accident caused the closure of the Styrian motorway near Šentjakob during evening hours, leading to traffic congestion between Šentjakob and Maribor. Three vehicles were involved in the incident, but according to initial reports, no one was physically injured.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a traffic accident and its impact on a motorway, which is a routine event with no inherent political controversy. The content is factual and does not show any ideological framing or bias.

Why factuality (70): The article reports on a different traffic accident on the Štajerska motorway near Šentjakob, mentioning three vehicles involved but no injuries. While this is a valid report, it covers a different incident than the others, leading to a lower factuality score due to divergence from the main event de

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, providing factual updates on the accident and its effects on traffic. However, since it focuses on a different incident, the overall balance is somewhat reduced in relevance to the main event.

STA – Slovenska tiskovna agencija logoSTA – Slovenska tiskovna agencijaState / PublicCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 95
In the trial of a former supervisor of several Maribor public enterprises, two other witnesses testified

The trial of former supervisor Damijan Škrinjar, who was accused of attempting to bribe a doctor at the University Clinical Centre Maribor after a traffic accident in December 2023, continued with the testimony of two additional witnesses. These included a doctor from the emergency center and a police officer who had been present at the clinic due to a violation of public order and peace. The case involves allegations of corruption and misconduct by Škrinjar, who previously oversaw several municipal public companies in Maribor.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of ongoing legal proceedings involving a former public official, presenting the situation neutrally without apparent ideological framing or biased language. It focuses on the procedural aspects of the trial rather than taking a stance on the defendant’s guilt,罪

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (95): The article is written in a highly neutral and factual tone, presenting only what was said by witnesses and the court proceedings. There is no editorializing or biased language, making it very objective.

Maribor24 logoMaribor24IndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 95
PHOTO: Traffic accident on Tito road near Telekom, traffic severely restricted

A traffic accident occurred on Titova Cesta near Telekom in Maribor, involving multiple personal vehicles. According to initial reports from the Maribor Police Department, the incident is classified as a second-category accident, resulting in minor injuries to four people. The accident has caused significant traffic congestion in the area. Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Bias read (Center): The article covers a local traffic accident with no political implications or controversy. It provides factual information without any apparent bias or framing that suggests a particular ideological stance.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (95): The article remains objective throughout, presenting the facts without bias or emotional language. It quotes the police and provides clear, neutral reporting on the incident and its impact on traffic.

Lokalec logoLokalecIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 85
PHOTO: Crash on Tito Road in Maribor, traffic heavily restricted

A traffic accident involving multiple personal vehicles occurred on Titova Street in Maribor, near the Telecom building. The incident caused significant traffic disruption in the area. Emergency services and police are present at the scene to manage the situation and assist those involved.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a traffic accident and its impact on local traffic without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political entity, ideology, or figure. It provides factual information about the event and mentions emergency services and police involvement without framing the incident in a

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the event in a neutral manner, focusing on the facts of the incident and the current situation. It avoids strong language or opinionated statements, maintaining a balanced tone.

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