Lawmaker accuses colleague of violating law over intelligence data

Janja Sluga, a lawmaker from the Freedom Movement party and president of the parliamentary committee for oversight of intelligence and security services (Knovs), has accused MP Žan Mahnič of misusing his authority and breaching legal protocols. The accusation stems from Mahnič's remarks during a parliamentary session where he discussed information he claimed to have learned at a Knovs meeting.

Sluga clarified that Knovs had not held a special session on the "Black Cube" affair nor reviewed any new evidence, directly contradicting Mahnič's statements. She asserted that Mahnič's reinterpretation of events, made without her knowledge or agreement, allowed for baseless speculation and manipulation. Mahnič had suggested during a debate that there was no proof the agency Black Cube recorded certain tapes and alluded to "very interesting people" being involved, referencing information supposedly heard at Knovs.

Mahnič's comments, made during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, implied that Knovs had provided him with specific details about the Black Cube case. However, Sluga emphasized that the committee's initial session had only reviewed the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency's (Sova) annual report and financial performance, not the Black Cube affair itself.

Citing violations of the law on parliamentary oversight of intelligence and security services, as well as the rules of procedure for both Knovs and the National Assembly, Sluga has formally requested the Speaker of the National Assembly, Zoran Stevanović. She urged him to take measures to prevent such abuses in the future and to remind members of parliament about their legal and procedural obligations when handling classified information and maintaining security culture.

“

Because Knovs did not conduct a special review in relation to this matter and did not familiarize itself with new facts, there was also no need to inform the public about it. I regret that MP Mahnič did this unauthorizedly and without my knowledge or agreement at the session and, what is worse, with his reinterpretation, which allows for untruths, speculation, and manipulation.