The Slovenian interior minister, Francija Matoza, has been using a rented Audi A8, manufactured in 2023, which was sourced from a company linked to one of the suspects in the case known as the Kavaški clan. The vehicle was leased through the firm Renty rent a car, operated by Navis mobil, d.o.o., whose co-owner is Semir Hajdarpašić, who was among those indicted in the Kavaški clan case. This revelation comes after media reports highlighted concerns over the connection between the rental company and the accused individual. Matoza’s monthly lease payment for the Audi amounts to €5,100. The contract with Renty rent a car was signed for a period of four months, though the process of purchasing vehicles for the protection unit is ongoing. Once this procurement is completed, the lease will end. The issue has sparked discussion on social media, particularly regarding how a rental company associated with one of the individuals suspected in the Kavaški clan case could provide a vehicle to a high-ranking government official. Semir Hajdarpašić, a member of the well-known Ljubljana business family Hajdarpašić, has been connected to the Kavaški clan case. According to media reports, he was accused of aiding in the murder of Danijel Božić. Prosecutors allege that he had a close relationship with Klemen Kadivec, considered the alleged leader of the Slovenian branch of the Kavaški clan, and that Kadivec frequently rented cars through Hajdarpašić's company. It is claimed that these vehicles were used during the abduction and killing of Božić in 2019. During the trial, which concluded earlier this year, Hajdarpašić was ultimately acquitted. However, prosecutors maintained that he concealed the identities of other suspects, tracked their movements, and covered up criminal activities. Despite being cleared of charges, the link between his company and the Kavaški clan case continues to raise questions. The Ministry of Interior emphasized that its selection of contractual partners follows legal procedures and public procurement rules. They stated that contracts are awarded based on legally relevant conditions and circumstances surrounding each specific procedure. The ministry declined to comment on allegations linking individuals to criminal activity, stating that such matters fall outside their jurisdiction. Hajdarpašić’s company, Navis mobil, d.o.o., is owned jointly by him and Ivan Šček. His family ties extend to prominent figures in Ljubljana, including Mayor Zoran Janković. These connections have further complicated the perception of his involvement in the Kavaški clan case. Prosecutors previously argued that Hajdarpašić's role extended beyond mere acquaintanceship with Kadivec, suggesting a deeper entanglement in the criminal activities attributed to the Kavaški clan. In 2019, according to prosecutors, Renty provided vehicles to members of the Kavaški clan, including Volkswagen Passats and Opel Astros, which were allegedly used to transport the group to the Primorska region. While Žarko Tešanović managed to escape, Danijel Božić was kidnapped and taken to the forest near Kranj, where he was tortured, shot multiple times, and eventually killed with a hammer blow. Despite being acquitted, the association between Hajdarpašić's company and the Kavaški clan case persists. The situation raises questions about the potential risks faced by high-profile officials using services potentially linked to criminal networks. Given that Klemen Kadivec has been in custody since November 2019 following the failed kidnapping of Tešanović, Matoza might feel some level of reassurance. However, the broader implications of such associations remain under scrutiny.
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