Slovenian ministers resigned after a fatal beating by a young Roma man, leading PM Golob to warn against ethnic hatred and promise strict measures to curb similar incidents.

Slovenia’s interior and justice ministers resigned following the fatal beating of a man by a 21-year-old suspect of Roma background outside a nightclub in Novo Mesto, as Prime Minister Robert Golob warned against inciting ethnic hatred while promising “serious” measures in response.

Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar and Justice Minister Andreja Katič submitted resignations that Golob accepted, with both citing “objective responsibility” for deteriorating security in southeastern Slovenia, where violence involving the Roma minority has recently escalated.

Aleš Šutar, 48, died after sustaining severe head injuries when he rushed to rescue his son from threats at the LokalPatriot club in Novo Mesto on 25 October. A group of Roma men are said to have attacked him outside the venue after midnight, leaving him in critical condition before he died in hospital.

Police arrested a suspect hours later at his home in nearby Mihovica. The 21-year-old faces five to 15 years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death. According to reports, he had no adult criminal record but was prosecuted as a minor for property offences, violent crimes and sexual abuse of a person under 15.

“People have the right to safety, and that right was not fulfilled yesterday. I know that today we all feel sadness, anger, and even fear. That is understandable. However, we must not allow that pain to turn into revenge or hatred. That would only deepen the wounds and tear society apart,” Golob said.