The rather absurd accusations against Anuška Delić came about when she published a series of articles on links between the neo-Nazi group Blood & Honour and the largest opposition party SDS at the end of 2011. The controversial part of the story was that she – according to the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency (Sova) – published classified information. Delić faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

The Slovenian Journalists Association (DNS) is adamant that her articles are clearly in the public interest. They maintain that even if she published classified information, journalists in democratic countries do not get prosecuted for revealing information that is in the public interest.

DNS President Mitja Stepišnik warns, "Pressure is mounting not only on journalism, whose aim it is to reveal information that the ruling structures would rather have the public not know about. This is also about a new wave of pressure on whistleblowers, anonymous sources and channels that are indispensable to quality journalism." According to Stepišnik, this trial is Sova's way of escaping public and media scrutiny – they do not want journalists to get hold of their information.

Delić's lawyer Emil Zakonjšek said, "Lately I have noticed an increasing number of lawsuits that have no chance of succeeding. This is certainly a pressure tactic."

Gregor Cerar, MMC;
translated by D.V.