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Creepy allegations against Smodej: death threats, putting out cigarettes on his skin
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive

Creepy allegations against Smodej: death threats, putting out cigarettes on his skin

The article reports on legal proceedings against Smodēj, a Slovenian artist associated with the Fotopub collective, based on allegations of sexual assault and other crimes. According to a report by POP TV, the charges against him were finalized this year after multiple failed attempts by the court to serve him due to his absence abroad. The charges are built on testimonies from two victims, while police initially identified nine victims. The alleged incidents date back to 2016, including sexual assault involving threats of death, forced sexual relations, and drug coercion. Another incident in 2021 involved physical abuse with industrial flame, causing severe burns, followed by cigarette burning on the victim. The accuser described these acts as resulting in deep burns and extreme pain. Smodēj has denied the accusations through a legal statement on Info360. The Fotopub scandal erupted in August 2022 after anonymous social media posts revealed misconduct within the group he led. Following the controversy, which sparked public outrage, the collective disbanded, and Smodēj continued his artistic career abroad.

A criminal indictment against artist Dušan Smodej has been finalized, accusing him of three alleged crimes involving threats of death, coercion into sexual acts, and causing physical harm. According to reports by POP TV, the indictment was built on the testimonies of two victims. It became legally binding this year after the court had previously failed to serve it for over a year due to Smodej’s absence abroad. The court closed preliminary hearings last summer, keeping their content confidential to protect the victims. Details of the indictment were unknown to the public until POP TV revealed them. The first alleged crime dates back to 2016, when Smodej is accused of coercing a minor into an oral sexual act with threats of death during a car ride. According to the victim's testimony, this was followed by another forced sexual encounter at the Fotopub venue. The second alleged offense involves administering drugs to facilitate rape. The third incident occurred in 2021, when Smodej allegedly tortured a victim using an industrial fan, resulting in severe burns. He is further accused of extinguishing cigarettes on the victim’s skin, according to the indictment. An expert cited in the document stated that these incidents resulted in deep burns and "extremely severe pain." Smodej could not be reached by POP TV but denied legal responsibility for the charges through the Info360 portal. The Fotopub scandal erupted in August 2022 when anonymous accounts appeared on social media detailing activities around the club he managed. Following the scandal, which stirred both cultural and broader public sentiment in Slovenia, Smodej shut down the club and continued his artistic career abroad, primarily in Italy and France. The indictment against Smodej includes three alleged offenses: threats of death used to coerce a minor into a sexual act, administering drugs to facilitate rape, and forcing someone into a sexual act that caused physical injuries. According to the indictment, the first alleged offense took place in 2016 when Smodej offered a 16-year-old girl a ride and threatened her with arrest if she did not orally satisfy him. Instead of taking her home, he reportedly drove her to the Fotopub, where a further forced sexual act occurred. The second alleged offense involved giving the victim a dose of GHB in her drink while threatening her with unspecified consequences if she refused to drink it. In 2021, Smodej allegedly tortured a victim with an industrial fan, causing severe burns, and extinguished cigarettes on her body, under her breasts, on her stomach, and on her right hand. The victim reportedly suffered additional burns when her shirt caught fire due to the heat. The indictment is based on the testimonies of two victims, although police listed nine victims when filing the complaint. One of the victims spoke to POP TV following the scandal’s outbreak in 2022, describing how GHB was always present at Smodej’s parties and how he once gave a friend triple the dosage. The indictment contains detailed allegations, including claims that Smodej knew the victim was underage when he threatened her in a car ten years ago and physically assaulted her with a belt, tearing off her clothes. After initial accusations emerged, Smodej fled to Venice, claiming he left Slovenia not to evade justice but because he felt it would be unsustainable for him there. He denied the charges in an interview with Info360 but accepted moral responsibility, stating he had often rationalized and concealed certain matters in the Ljubljana cultural and leftist scene instead of addressing them. Following Smodej’s interview with Info360, POP TV disclosed the details of the indictment shortly thereafter. The timing suggests a possible connection between Smodej’s revelations about Luka Mesec’s cocaine use and the sudden emergence of the indictment. Some media outlets have speculated about a close relationship between the left-wing political movement and central media, suggesting the indictment might have been held in reserve should Smodej speak publicly. Nova24TV attempted to obtain the indictment earlier this year but was denied access under the pretext of protecting the victims.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 7 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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Reporter logoReporterIndependentProgressiveFactual 95Objective 90
Creepy allegations against Smodej: death threats, putting out cigarettes on his skin

The article reports on legal proceedings against Smodēj, a Slovenian artist associated with the Fotopub collective, based on allegations of sexual assault and other crimes. According to a report by POP TV, the charges against him were finalized this year after multiple failed attempts by the court to serve him due to his absence abroad. The charges are built on testimonies from two victims, while police initially identified nine victims. The alleged incidents date back to 2016, including sexual assault involving threats of death, forced sexual relations, and drug coercion. Another incident in 2021 involved physical abuse with industrial flame, causing severe burns, followed by cigarette burning on the victim. The accuser described these acts as resulting in deep burns and extreme pain. Smodēj has denied the accusations through a legal statement on Info360. The Fotopub scandal erupted in August 2022 after anonymous social media posts revealed misconduct within the group he led. Following the controversy, which sparked public outrage, the collective disbanded, and Smodēj continued his artistic career abroad.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the case as a serious criminal matter with significant societal impact, emphasizing the severity of the alleged crimes and the public backlash. It highlights the legal process and the involvement of victims, suggesting a left-leaning perspective by focusing on accountability and a

Why factuality (95): The article accurately summarizes the primary source document, including the three alleged crimes, the timeline of events from 2016 to 2021, and the fact that the indictment is based on the testimony of two victims rather than nine as initially reported by police. It also mentions Smodej’s evasion o

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone overall, presenting facts without overt bias or emotional language. However, it does include some framing that emphasizes the severity of the allegations, such as describing the incidents as 'shocking' and referencing the victim’s interview, which could slightly

RTV Slovenija (MMC) logoRTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenterFactual 93Objective 87
Charges against Smodej: death threats, drugs for rape, sexual coercion

An article reports on legal charges against Dušan Smodej, a former prominent figure associated with the Fotopub collective. The charges include threats of death, forcing a minor into a sexual relationship, coercion through drugs for prostitution, and sexual assault resulting in physical injuries. The charges were filed based on testimonies from two victims, though police identified nine potential victims. The case was initially dismissed due to Smodej's absence abroad but was later reopened. Smodej has denied the allegations, while the Fotopub scandal, which emerged in August 2022, led to the dissolution of his artistic career and relocation abroad.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about legal proceedings and public figures without overtly favoring any political ideology. It provides balanced reporting by including both the accusations and Smodej’s denial, without taking a clear ideological stance.

Why factuality (93): The article accurately reflects the key points from the primary source, including the three alleged offenses, the timeline, and the fact that the indictment is based on two victims’ testimonies. It correctly notes Smodej’s flight to Italy and his denial of guilt.

Why objectivity (87): The article presents the facts neutrally but uses descriptive language such as 'shocking details' and 'serious injuries,' which can influence the reader’s interpretation. The tone remains objective but occasionally emphasizes the severity of the allegations.

Dnevnik logoDnevnikIndependent🔒CenterFactual 92Objective 88
Charges against Smodej: the victim was also accused of putting out cigarettes

The article reports on legal charges against Dušan Smodej, the former leader of the Fotopub collective, involving three criminal acts. These include threats of death, forcing a minor into a sexual relationship, sexual assault resulting in physical injuries, and the use of industrial phenol causing burns. The charges were based on testimonies from two victims, while police had identified nine victims at the time of filing the complaint. The court initially failed to serve Smodej due to his absence abroad but later sealed the case for victim protection. Smodej has denied the allegations, and the incident sparked significant public controversy, leading to the dissolution of Fotopub and Smodej's continued career abroad.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about legal proceedings against Smodej without overtly favoring any political side. It provides balanced reporting by including both the charges and Smodej's denial, while focusing on the legal and social implications rather than taking a clear ideological立场.

Why factuality (92): The article accurately conveys the essential information from the primary source, including the nature of the three alleged crimes, the timeline, and the fact that the indictment relies on two victims’ testimonies. It correctly states that the indictment became final in March and that Smodej fled to

Why objectivity (88): The article remains mostly neutral but includes some emotionally charged descriptions, such as referring to the incidents as 'shocking' and detailing the physical harm caused. These elements add weight to the narrative but remain within reasonable bounds of journalistic reporting.

Večer logoVečerIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 90Objective 85
The Smodej Affair: Testimony of two harassers, three crimes, details are scant

The article reports on the ongoing legal case against Dušan Smodej, a Slovenian figure associated with the Fotopub collective, who faces multiple sexual assault charges. The charges became legally valid this year after over a year of failed attempts by authorities to serve him due to his absence abroad. The indictment was based on testimonies from two victims, though police identified nine victims upon filing the criminal complaint. The article outlines three specific incidents: one from 2016 involving a minor, another related to forced drug use for prostitution, and a third in 2021 involving severe burns from industrial flammable substances. Smodej has denied the allegations and accused Left Party coordinator Luka Mesček of fabricated claims. The Fotopub scandal emerged in August 2022 after anonymous online accounts surfaced, leading to the dissolution of the collective and Smodej’s relocation abroad.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the allegations against Smodej as serious crimes with significant societal impact, emphasizing the systemic failure of authorities to serve him and the broader implications for public trust. It highlights the victim testimonies and the denial of Smodej’s claims, which aligns with左

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the core details from the primary source, including the three alleged offenses, the timeline, and the fact that the indictment is based on two victims’ testimonies. It correctly notes Smodej’s flight to Italy and his denial of guilt. However, it briefly references Smod

Why objectivity (85): The article leans slightly toward emphasizing the gravity of the allegations, using phrases like 'shocking details' and 'serious injuries.' While still largely factual, this framing might subtly sway readers toward viewing the case more negatively without explicit bias.

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 75
Fotopub case: indictment builds on two witnesses, Smode is charged with three felonies

The article reports on a legal case against Dušan Smodej, the former leader of the Fotopub collective, who faces charges of three criminal acts: threats of death, sexual coercion involving a minor, forced sexual relations resulting in physical injuries, and assault with industrial glue causing burns. The charges were based on the testimonies of two victims, while police had initially identified nine victims. The charges became legally valid this year after multiple failed attempts by the court to serve him due to his absence abroad. The case gained public attention in August 2022 when anonymous allegations surfaced on social media, leading to the dissolution of the Fotopub collective and Smodej’s departure from Slovenia. He has denied the accusations through another platform but remains unreachable via POP TV.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the case as a serious criminal matter with significant societal impact, emphasizing the severity of the alleged crimes and the public outrage. It highlights the legal process and the involvement of victims, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective that prioritizes victim voice

Why factuality (90): This article closely follows the facts presented in the primary source, accurately reporting the three charges against Smodej, the basis of the indictment (two victims’ testimonies), and the legal timeline. It does not add any unverified information or speculation beyond what is stated in the origin

Why objectivity (75): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting the facts without overtly criticizing Smodej or the legal system. While it briefly mentions the lack of access to Smodej’s response, it avoids taking sides or injecting strong opinion into the narrative, making it more objective compared to

Nova24TV logoNova24TVParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 80Objective 55
The Left's media coverage? After a shocking interview, the accusation against Smodej miraculously appears in public.

The article reports on a legal case against Dušan Smodej, a Slovenian media personality, involving allegations of multiple criminal acts including threats of death, sexual coercion, and physical abuse. The accusations were revealed by POP TV after a period of silence, following a lengthy investigation. The charges include forcing a minor into a sexual relationship through intimidation, administering drugs for sexual purposes, and causing bodily harm. Two victims provided testimonies, with police later identifying nine victims. One victim described being drugged with GHB at parties hosted by Smodej, while another suffered severe burns and cigarette burns after being assaulted with industrial fumes. Smodej fled Slovenia to Belgium, claiming he did so to avoid confrontation rather than evade justice.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the controversy around Smodej’s alleged connections to leftist politics and his close ties with mainstream media outlets like POP TV. It emphasizes the role of media in uncovering these allegations and suggests a potential alignment between Smodej and left-leaning political forces

Why factuality (80): This article provides an accurate summary of the charges against Smodej, including the three alleged crimes and the details from the indictment. It correctly references the timeline of the case, including Smodej’s flight to Italy and the legal proceedings. However, it repeats some of the speculative

Why objectivity (55): While this article is more factual than the previous one, it still leans toward a biased interpretation by linking Smodej’s interview with the release of the indictment. The tone remains somewhat critical and lacks complete neutrality, especially when discussing the relationship between Smodej and t

Demokracija logoDemokracijaParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 75Objective 50
The Left's media coverage? After a shocking interview, the accusation against Smodej miraculously appears in public.

The article reports on a shocking accusation against Dušan Smodej, a prominent figure in Slovenian media, which was recently made public by the media outlet POP TV. The accusations, which became legally valid in March of this year, allege three criminal acts: threatening with death to coerce a minor into a sexual relationship, giving drugs for sexual purposes, and forcing someone into a sexual relationship through physical harm. These allegations include detailed accounts of incidents dating back to 2016, including threats, forced sexual encounters, and the administration of substances like GHB. The accusations are based on testimonies from two victims, with police later identifying nine victims. One victim spoke out during a controversy at POP TV in 2022, describing the presence of GHB and Smodej’s alleged actions. The article suggests that the accusations were kept hidden within the media organization until Smodej publicly commented on another incident involving Luka Mesec, prompting the release of the information.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the accusations against Smodej as part of a broader pattern of power dynamics between political figures and media outlets, suggesting a close alignment between left-wing politics and mainstream media. It emphasizes the role of media in uncovering these allegations, implying a left

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the charges against Smodej, including the three alleged crimes mentioned in the primary source. It also mentions the nine-page indictment and the timeline of events, such as the legal proceedings and Smodej’s evasion of justice by fleeing abroad. However, it includes s

Why objectivity (50): The article has a clear bias, suggesting a conspiracy between the left-wing politics and media, implying that the indictment was hidden until Smodej made controversial statements. This framing is highly subjective and lacks neutrality. The tone is sensationalized and critical of Smodej, with no bala

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