2012–2013 Maribor protests

Anti-government protests in Maribor, Slovenia November 2022 2012–2013 Maribor protests 2012–2013 Slovenian protests 375px Protesters in front of Maribor's Municipal building on 3 December 2012 2012 11 02 yes – 2013 2 4 yeshttps://www.zurnal24.si/omejili-stevilo-obiskovalcev-clanek-181575 "Četudi ubijejo očeta treh otrok, vstaje ne bo konec" Maribor, Slovenia Political corruption Favouritism, Nepotism and Clientelism Resignation of mayor Franc Kangler and end of corruption and clientelism in the City Municipality of Maribor Abolition of the immunity from prosecution for members of the National Assembly and the National Council Spread of the protests throughout Slovenia; resignations and prosecutions of politicians and other members of elite, accused of corruption Civil resistance Demonstrations Online activismNad Kanglerja tudi Anonymous – padla spletna stran občine https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/nad-kanglerja-tudi-anonymous-padla-spletna-stran-obcine/296659 RTV Slovenija B. V. T. K. B. sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012 Police brutalityPolice2611 P–1 P–1 Riots VandalismRadarVandalism V–1 V–1 Franc Kangler's membership in the Slovenian People's Party revoked Demands for resignation of mayors in Trebnje and Novo mestoKo župani prebledijo: "Gotof je!" efekt se širi http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112305854204 Večer sl 23 November 2012 26 November 2012 27 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121127225226/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112305854204 dead Kangler announces he will not run for a third mayoral termKangler kot župan ne bo odstopil, želi pa se umakniti iz politike https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/kangler-kot-zupan-ne-bo-odstopil-zeli-pa-se-umakniti-iz-politike.html Delo Robert Galun sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012 The Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia exits the ruling coalition in the city councilMariborska koalicija skrhana, izstopa eden ključnih Kanglerjevih svetnikov https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mariborska-koalicija-skrhana-izstopa-eden-kljucnih-kanglerjevih-svetnikov/297122 4 December 2012 MMC RTV Slo 2 December 2012 Srečko Zorko, the ranking Slovenian People's Party city councillor resigns his position Kangler announces his resignation as Mayor of Maribor"Gotof" je: Franc Kangler napovedal odstop https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/gotof-je-franc-kangler-napovedal-odstop/297409 T.K.B RTV Slovenija sl 5 December 2012 5 December 2012 Kanglers' mandate to become a member of the National Council is rejected by a vote of 19 to 18Kangler ni postal državni svetnik, gre na ustavno sodišče https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-kangler-ni-postal-drzavni-svetnik-gre-na-ustavno-sodisce/297888 13 December 2012 MMC RTV Slo 12 December 2012 Protests across Slovenia 65 150See: casualties section below. The 2012–2013 Maribor protests are part of the 2012–2013 Slovenian protests against the Slovenian political elite members, including the mayor Franc Kangler, the right-wing government leader Janez Janša, and the opposition leader Zoran Janković. In 2013 all three were officially accused of corruption by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia.Kangler je korumpiran. Pika. https://www.delo.si/mnenja/komentarji/kangler-je-korumpiran-pika.html Delo Rok Kajzer sl 15 November 2012 23 November 2012Protikorupcijska komisija: Kangler vpleten v korupcijo https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/protikorupcijska-komisija-kangler-vpleten-v-korupcijo.html 24ur B.G. STA N.D. M.K. sl 15 November 2012 23 November 2012Mariborska hobotnica http://ris.vecer.com/risstorage4/_Mariborska/1012Hobotnica1.JPG Večer sl 2 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20140505105759/http://ris.vecer.com/risstorage4/_Mariborska/1012Hobotnica1.JPG 5 May 2014 dead Mreža Franca Kanglerja https://www.slovenskenovice.si/novice/slovenija/mreza-franca-kanglerja Ali Žerdin Slovenske novice sl 3 December 2012 4 December 2012Mariborčani: Kangler naj v dobro mesta odstopi https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/mariborcani-kangler-naj-v-dobro-mesta-odstopi.html Delo Robert Galun Miha Rubin sl 22 November 2012 26 November 2012 The protests began on 2 November 2012 in the city of Maribor, Slovenia.Mariborska opozicija zahteva, da župan pokaže dokumentacijo https://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/mariborska-opozicija-zahteva-da-zupan-pokaze-dokumentacijo/294924 A.S. RTV Slovenija sl 2 November 2012 30 November 2012 Despite being predominantly peaceful in nature, the protests have not been without violent clashes between security forces and protesters.V središču Maribora obsedno stanje http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112605855102 Večer Aleš Lednik sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012 18 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130218070159/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112605855102 dead Največji protesti proti Kanglerju doslej https://www.zurnal24.si/druga-mariborska-vstaja-bo-danes-clanek-173090 Žurnal24 K. P L. C. I. H. sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012Maribor: Pridržanih 60 ljudi, poškodovanih 6 policistov https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/maribor-pridrzanih-60-ljudi-poskodovanih-6-policistov/297216 RTV Slovenija L.D. sl 3 December 2012 4 December 2012Začelo se je z zažgano balo sena, končalo z granitnimi kockami in aretacijami https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/foto-v-mariboru-se-protestniki-ze-zbirajo.html 24ur Neda Došenović Danijela Levpušček Gregor Gruber Saša Senica Mateja Klavs sl 3 December 2012 4 December 2012Mariborski protestnik z zlomljeno čeljustjo si bo 'proteste zapomnil za vse življenje' https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/po-zraku-leteli-prometni-znaki-rakete-bakle-kocke-ranjenih-vec-kot-30-kangler-pa-nic.html N.Š. 24ur sl 4 December 2012 4 December 2012 In late November 2012, the protests spread to cities and towns throughout the country, where the people are demanding resignations and prosecutions of politicians and other members of the "elite", accused of corruption.V Trbovljah državi prižgali svečo, mirno tudi drugje https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-trbovljah-drzavi-prizgali-sveco-mirno-tudi-drugje/297023 RTV Slovenija T.H. sl 30 November 2012 1 December 2012V Mariboru razdejanje, v Ljubljani sproščeno https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-mariboru-razdejanje-v-ljubljani-sprosceno/297177 Al. Ma. L. L. B. V. A. Č. RTV Slovenija sl 3 December 2012 4 December 2012Protest v Celju: pridržali 15 oseb, 15-letnika že izpustili https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/v-celju-zbranih-ze-okoli-100-protestnikov-protesti-tudi-na-ptuju-ravnah-in-v-trbovljah.html Vesna Lambergar Matic Flajšman Polona Šemnički 24ur sl 3 December 2012 5 December 2012Ajdovci politike pošiljajo "v maloro" https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/ajdovci-politike-posiljajo-v-maloro/297500 RTV Slovenija G. C. Al. Ma. sl 7 December 2012 8 December 2012 Background Political situation in Maribor Franc Kangler became the mayor of Maribor after winning the elections in December 2006, and again in October 2010 when he was re-elected.Župan Franc Kangler – mariborski šerif http://www.svet24.si/2012/11/zupan-franc-kangler--mariborski-serif--soocen-z-ulico-tema- https://archive.today/20130113225241/http://www.svet24.si/2012/11/zupan-franc-kangler--mariborski-serif--soocen-z-ulico-tema- dead 13 January 2013 svet24.si sl 27 November 2012 28 November 2012 Toti grešni Franca http://www.siol.net/novice/slovenija/2012/11/toti_gresni_franca.aspx Jan Tomše Alma M. Sedlar Siol sl 28 November 2012 30 November 2012 He won his second mayoral term in the first round and secured a strong coalition in the City Council. During his six-year tenure he has become notorious after being involved in multiple affairs and scandals, resulting in a number of criminal investigations and indictments, none in which he has been found guilty to date. He has been frequently accused by both the media and his opposition of political corruption, favouritism, clientelism, misguided budgetary policy and failed or semi-finished projects,Coalition Shares Responsibility for Maribor Mayor's Stunts http://www.sta.si/vest.php?s=a&id=1805645 Slovenian Press Agency 2 October 2012 30 November 2012 the biggest one being the unsuccessful organization of the 2013 Winter Universiade for which the City Municipality of Maribor now faces a multi-million euros lawsuit from the FISU. Kangler rejects the blame for the failed project and argues that his organizing committee has done everything in their power to host the event and that the blame lies on the shoulders of the Government and the "third-rate state bureaucrats".Župan Franc Kangler o univerzijadi: Krivi so tretjerazredni državni birokrati http://www.dnevnik.si/clanek/1042510285 Dnevnik sl 16 February 2012 28 November 2012 To date, the Commission for Prevention of Corruption in Slovenia has issued multiple opinions in which they labeled some of Kangler's actions as "corrupt". Because of his crude language and alleged eluding of the law, critics have dubbed Kangler the "Maribor sheriff". Critics say that Kangler's downfall began in October 2012, when he signed a controversial10 radarjev je gorelo, 11. so izruvali, KPK uvedel preiskavo https://www.24ur.com/novice/crna-kronika/10-radarjev-je-gorelo-11-so-izruvali.html C.S. 24ur sl 15 November 2012 1 December 2012Mariborski radarji vse bolj sumljivo zaudarjajo http://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/lokalno/stajerska/mariborski-radarji-vse-bolj-sumljivo-zaudarjajo Tomaž Klipšteter Dnevnik sl 2 November 2012 30 November 2012Sporna mariborska radarska invazija http://www.dnevnik.si/clanek/1042539757 Dnevnik sl 4 July 2012 30 November 2012 public–private partnership with the company Iskra Sistemi for the implementation of a stationary radar system with the intended purpose of ensuring greater traffic safety within the city limits. Iskra Sistemi was granted permission to install 46 speed radars, 30 of which were operational by the end of October, and within the first few days the system detected almost 25,000 traffic offenses, the majority of which were minor. Kangler soon faced accusations about the financing of the project and alleged irregularities within the contract. In the initial plan the cost of the system was set at around five million euros, which then skyrocketed to 30 million. The fact that Iskra Sistemi receives 92% of all collected fines and the City Municipality receives only 8% was questioned by the Information Commissioner of Slovenia, who stated that she doubts that a private company would want to ensure greater road safety when their primary motive is making profit. When told in what percentage the money from traffic fines was divided, a representative of a Dutch company, which has manufactured the radars, expressed his surprise and said that the Maribor case is unusual for them, stating that their systems in Europe are always commissioned by either the state or by the provincional governments. Faced with pressure from the media and the people, Kangler then pardoned all drivers who had committed minor traffic offenses.Radarji izmerili več kot 40.000 prekoračitev omejitev hitrosti https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/radarji-izmerili-vec-kot-40-000-prekoracitev-omejitev-hitrosti/296645 RTV Slovenija sl 25 November 2012 30 November 2012 The speed radar system was strongly opposed by the people of Maribor from the start and within the first weeks of their implementation 10 out of 30 operational speed radars were damaged or destroyed, with the total damage cost exceeding 300,000 euros. Political situation in Slovenia Government under the right-wing leader Janez Janša responded to the weakening of the Slovenian economy during the global economic crisis and European sovereign-debt crisis with opening up old ideological fronts against the liberal media and the public sector, especially the educational and cultural sectors, accusing them of being under the influence of members of the old regime called Udbomafia and "Uncles from Behind the Scenes" (In Slovene: "strici iz ozadja")Uncles from Behind the Scenes (In Slovene: "Strici iz ozadja"), Dnevnik, 10. november 2012 and against anyone who doubted that the austerity measures that have been forced upon Slovenia are the right ones.IMF calls time on austerity – but can Greece survive?, BBC News, 11 October 2012A Symposium of Law Experts. Political arbitrariness has gone wild. https://web.archive.org/web/20130627174925/https://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/v-ospredju/samovolja-politikov-presega-vse-meje 27 June 2013 (In Slovene: "Posvet pravnikov. Samovolja politikov presega vse meje"), Dnevnik, 18 January 2013. Protests Maribor 2 November 2012 12 November 2012 21 November 2012 ("The first Maribor uprising") left|thumb|Maribor Town Hall On 21 November 2012 election for the National Council was held in Maribor Town Hall, with Kangler being one of the candidates.Barade nisem klical http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112205853735 Večer sl 22 November 2012 26 November 2012 29 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121129025324/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112205853735 dead So protestnike razgnali zaradi Kanglerjevega mestnega svetnika? https://www.24ur.com/novice/crna-kronika/so-protestnike-razgnali-zaradi-kanglerjevega-mestnega-svetnika.html 24ur M.R. S.S. STA sl 22 November 2012 26 November 2012 It is speculated that the sole reason for Kangler's candidature for the council was that elected councillors receive immunity from prosecution during the duration of their five-year term.Mariborčani spet proti Kanglerju https://www.zurnal24.si/mariborcani-spet-proti-kanglerju-clanek-172792 Žurnal24 I. H. K. P. sl 21 November 2012 26 November 2012 However, Kangler has denied these claims and stated, one day before the election, that he waives his immunity in case he gets elected.Kangler se je odpovedal imuniteti https://www.slovenskenovice.si/novice/slovenija/kangler-se-je-odpovedal-imuniteti Slovenske novice P. J. sl 21 November 2012 26 November 2012 Most of the 38 electors were proposed and named by the City Municipality of Maribor and at around 18:15 CET they elected Kangler with a majority vote (25). Upon hearing the result, the crowd of about 1,000 non-violent protesters blocked the entrance to the Town Hall, preventing Kangler to leave. Kangler then phoned his friend and former kickboxing champion Tomaž Barada in order to escort him to safety. At around 20:00 CET, Barada, who is also a member of the Maribor City Council, appeared at the protest concealed with a hoodie and accompanied by about a dozen of masked friends. The group then unsuccessfully tried to force their way into the Town Hall only to be pushed back by the police, which was securing the entrance. Violence erupted, with two protesters and two members of the police reportedly suffering minor injuries.Lažje poškodovana dva policista in izgrednika http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112205853779 Večer Gregor Grosman sl 22 November 2012 27 November 2012 8 February 2013 https://archive.today/20130208223433/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112205853779 dead Escorted and under protection of the police, Franc Kangler then left the building and was driven to safety in a police van. It is speculated that the actions of Barada and the group of his friends were pre-organized in order to turn the protest into a violent one, which would give the police a legitimate reason to forcibly disperse the protesters and clear the way for Kangler's exit. Claims were later denied by Barada, who said that he only wanted to help his friend, the mayor. Several hours before the protest, a Facebook group, which calls Kangler to step down from office, posted a message on its wall, that they have received reliable anonymous tip that Kangler has enlisted a group of hooligans with the sole reason to turn the protest into a violent one, and urged protesters to be peaceful and to obey the instruction given by the police.*Pozor* http://www.facebook.com/kangler.naj.odstopi#!/photo.php?fbid=384105795005622&set=a.372901366126065.85743.372872529462282&type=1&theater Franc Kangler naj odstopi kot župan Maribora sl 21 November 2012 23 November 2012 During Franc Kangler's last mayoral term, Barada's school of martial arts BB Hwarang received over €150,000 of donations from the City Municipality of Maribor.Klub borilnih veščin BB Hawrang http://supervizor.kpk-rs.si/organ/75698/podj/31239293/ Komisija za preprečevanje korupcije (Commission for Prevention of Corruption) sl 23 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121127193417/http://supervizor.kpk-rs.si/organ/75698/podj/31239293/ 27 November 2012 dead After the protests, the Slovenian People's Party revoked Kangler's membership and excluded him from their political party.Vodstvo SLS Kanglerja izključilo iz stranke http://www.siol.net/novice/slovenija/2012/11/vodstvo_sls_kanglerja_izkljucilo_iz_stranke.aspx Siol STA sl 22 November 2012 26 November 2012 In a press conference one day later, Kangler regretted the decision of the party and stated that he has no intentions of stepping down from office.Mestni odbor SLS Maribor grozi s kolektivnim izstopom iz stranke https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mestni-odbor-sls-maribor-grozi-s-kolektivnim-izstopom-iz-stranke/296493 RTV Slovenija T.H. sl 23 November 2012 27 November 2012 26 November 2012 ("The second Maribor uprising") "Because the protesters did not disperse when ordered, we decided for the use of police force, only to encounter violent resistance from the majority of the people present. However, given the serious breach of public order, the use of tear gas was ordered and then the protesters scattered to smaller groups throughout Maribor, assaulting police officers in the process." right 30% Danijel Lorbek, Director of the Maribor Police Department.https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/gorenak-pescica-ljudi-je-izrabila-situacijo/296756 Gorenak: "Peščica ljudi je izrabila situacijo" Luka Lukič RTV Slovenija sl 27 November 2012 27 November 2012 "The protests are illegal, not registered and not allowed.. We will do everything in our power to hunt down and bring to justice the anonymous organizers of the protests, and held them accountable for the violence and damage caused by the rioters." right 30% Vinko Gorenak, Minister of the Interior.https://www.mladina.si/118142/vinko-gorenak-demonstracije-so-ilegalne-niso-prijavljene-in-niso-dovoljene/ Vinko Gorenak: Demonstracije so ilegalne, niso prijavljene in niso dovoljene STA, ml Mladina sl 26 November 2012 27 November 2012 "The protests in Maribor are legitimate and expected, given the behavior of the mayor Franc Kangler. I am worried about the use of excessive police force and official statements of Vinko Gorenak, Minister of the Interior." right 30% Danilo Türk, incumbent President of Slovenia, a native of Maribor.https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/po-mariborskih-protestih-ostre-obsodbe-nasilja/296764 Po mariborskih protestih ostre obsodbe nasilja T. K. B. A. Č. RTV Slovenija sl 27 November 2012 27 November 2012 "With three other friends we were sitting on the ground in a sign of a peaceful protest.. Then we have told the police officers not to behave in such an aggressive manner towards us, only to be sprayed in the eyes with tear gas and ordered to disperse. However, we could not comply as we were incapacitated and could not see. They have then started pounding on us with batons and draging us on the ground. Two officers were arresting the people, one was stepping on the heads of the "rioters" and the other was handcuffing their hands.. When I and my friend were seating in a police vehicle we insisted that the police can not treat peaceful protesters in such a manner. Then one of the officers approached us and started shouting towards us to be quiet. He was one of the more aggressive ones, in full combat gear, and reeked of alcohol. There is no doubt in my mind that he was intoxicated." right 30% Aljoša Planteu, coach of Filip Flisar, a renowned freestyle skier and Olympian.http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112705855629 Vaše zgodbe in izpovedi: Kako so krvaveli Mariborčani Aleš Lednik Boris Jaušovec Jasmina Cehnar Večer sl 27 November 2012 27 November 2012 30 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121130070850/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112705855629 dead The third protest occurred on 26 November 2012, starting at 16:30 CET, when about 10,000 people gathered on the Liberty square (sl Trg svobode). Demonstrations started peacefully, with protesters chanting slogans against Kangler and setting ablaze his pictures, a life-size model of the mayor and a cardboard model of one of the speed radars.Zadnjič je v Maribor notranji minister tako priletel, ko so počili Krambergerja http://www.dnevnik.si/slovenija/v-ospredju/zadnjic-je-v-maribor-notranji-minister-tako-priletel-ko-so-pocili-krambergerja Dnevnik Borut Mehle sl 27 November 2012 28 November 2012Od srca do solzivca http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112705855913 Večer Dragica Korade sl 27 November 2012 28 November 2012 30 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121130214729/http://web.vecer.com/portali/vecer/v1/default.asp?kaj=3&id=2012112705855913 dead However, about two hours into the protests they turned violent when a group of several thousand decided to move in front of a building, the seat of the City Municipality of Maribor, located about 200 meters to the north of the square, which was heavily protected by the police forces.V Mariboru prijetih najmanj 25 nasilnežev, poškodovanih pa 15 ljudi https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/z-2-mariborsko-vstajo-proti-kanglerju.html 24ur S.S. M.R. sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012Gotof, gotovi: Druga MB fstaja (v živo) https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/gotof-gotovi-druga-mb-fstaja-v-zivo.html Delo Pi. K. Ti. K. sl 26 November 2012 27 November 2012 Reports on what triggered the violence vary, however, the area was quickly a scene of a massive riot with heavy clashes that erupted between hundreds of protesters and members of the police. Reporters present at the protests described the scenes that followed as "a war zone" and as unprecedented in the history of Slovenia, since its independence in 1991. The violence started at around 18:15 CET and escalated after the use of force and tear gas by the police, which scattered the crowd into a number of smaller groups and fighting continued for several hours on different locations within the city centre. Clashes occurred on most of Maribor's town squares, with particularly heavy fighting on Rudolf Maister square (sl Trg Generala Maistra), Castle square (sl Grajski trg) and the Main square (sl Glavni trg), the site of the protests on 21 November. The police used all means available to them using tear gas, police dogs and even mounted police, which was indiscriminately charging into the protesters and even the journalists. Overlooking the sky was a police helicopter, which helped throw tear gas into the streets. At around 22:00 CET the situation had stabilized and Maribor streets were left deserted. The fighting led to several dozen arrests and injured people. In total 31 protesters were arrested and 22 people injured (11 protesters and 11 police officers). Everyone that sought and received medical treatment suffered minor injuries, however, two police officers and one protester had to spend a night in the hospital. In addition, there were also 14 police vehicles that were damaged during the riot. At 22:15 CET a press conference was held by the Maribor Police Department and Vinko Gorenak, Minister of the Interior, who immediately went from Ljubljana to Maribor, driving when the fighting in the city streets was still occurring. The last time a Minister of the Interior had to intervene and come Maribor unexpectedly was after the assassination of Ivan Kramberger in 1992. At the press conference the Minister stated that although some claims and demands of the protesters seems legitimate, the protests itself are not. Gorenak dubbed the protests as "illegal, not registered and not allowed" and stated that the intervention of the police was correct and within the authorized limits. Gorenak also stated that the police will do everything in their power to hunt down the anonymous organizers of the protests, and held them accountable for the violence and damage caused by the rioters. He also called out on the media for reliable and objective reporting, pointing out the "inaccuracies of the emergency rooms being full of injured people". Gorenak's claims, that a protest has to be registered and officially announced to be legal, were later denied and dismissed as unfounded by Miro Cerar Jr., a professor of law at the University of Ljubljana.Ljudje ne bi šli na ulico, če se politiki v krizi ne bi vedli nedostojno https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/ljudje-ne-bi-sli-na-ulico-ce-se-politiki-v-krizi-ne-bi-vedli-nedostojno/296882 RTV Slovenija A.S. sl 28 November 2012 30 November 2012 Danijel Lorbek, Director of the Maribor Police Department, stated that the police force and tear gas was used only after the violent protesters assaulted officers who were guarding the main building of the Municipality. He dismissed claims of excessive use of force as unfounded, stating that it was the protesters who violently opposed the orders given by the police. Even during the protests reports were made, by the reporters covering the event live, that the police had exceeded their authority and used excessive force. The protest was non-violent and escalated only after the police threw tear gas into the peaceful crowd and decided to disperse the crowd by force.Policija: Ravnanje policistov na protestih je bilo povsem v skladu s pravili https://www.24ur.com/novice/slovenija/foto-in-video-so-protestniki-izzivali-je-policija-prekoracila-pooblastila.html 24ur S.S. sl 27 November 2012 27 November 2012Solzivec v deklico: Ati, nič ne vidim, oči me pečejo https://www.slovenskenovice.si/novice/slovenija/solzivec-v-deklico-ati-nic-ne-vidim-oci-me-pecejo Slovenske novice Mo.S. sl 27 November 2012 27 November 2012 YouTube videos emerged, showing the excessive force used by the police officers. One of the videos even shows how peaceful sitting protesters are being sprayed with tear gas in order to forcibly disperse.Po Mariboru in Ljubljani še protesti v Celju, Kranju, Kopru, Murski Soboti? https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/po-mariboru-in-ljubljani-se-protesti-v-celju-kranju-kopru-murski-soboti/296815 Žurnal24 A. K. K. sl 28 November 2012 28 November 2012 Some reporters described the events as police brutality and unprecedented in the history of Slovenia, since its independence in 1991, stating how the police did not use such measures against its own people even during the period of socialist Yugoslavia. 3 December 2012 ("The third Maribor uprising") right|thumb|Protest in front of a Municipal building on 3 December 2012 right|thumb|Protest on 3 December 2012 right|thumb|Protest on 3 December 2012 The protest The largest protest thus far was on 3 December 2012 when about 20,000 people reportedly gathered in Maribor squares. Again starting at 16:30 CET the protest started peacefully and continued this way until the demonstrators moved from Liberty square to the nearby Rudolf Maister square and in front of the Municipal building. There the protesters where throwing rocks and pyrotechnics into the building. At about 19:00 CET the violence escalated after the use of force by the police officers who clashed with the protesters and arrested some of them. The police then secured the entrance to the building, however, they were soon pushed back after the protesters charged into them and returned to their previous position. Shortly thereafter, a police helicopter began overflying the area and soon found itself under fire by some of the protesters, who targeted it with rockets. Similar to the protest on 26 November, the fighting between the police and the protesters then spread across the city centre and continued for several hours, with tear gas circulating through the air after another extensive use. The gas was mixed with clouds of smoke from fires, alight by some of the protesters. A day after the protest Aleksander Ogrizek, President of the Union of Professional Firefighetrs, stated that the Maribor fire department had 25 interventions during four hours, some of which were life-threatening for the firefighters involved in putting out the fires.https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/ogrizek-v-mariboru-je-bilo-kot-v-bejrutu/297266 Ogrizek: V Mariboru je bilo kot v Bejrutu Saša Banjanac Lubej RTV Slovenija sl 4 December 2012 27 December 2012 He has also stated that the scenes reminded him of Beirut. The fighting has led to a total of 39 people who sought medical treatment; 14 protesters and 25 police officers. Most of the injuries sustained were minor, however, one protester suffered a broken jaw and was subjected to surgery. The violence has also led to 119 arrests. Aftermath Spread of protests across Slovenia 2012–2013 Slovenian protests right|thumb|Young lady attaches a carnation on the policeman's uniform during one of the protests in Ljubljana. Casualties and arrests Maribor +List of 2012 Maribor protests and official figures from the eventsDateVenueNumber of demonstrators1ArrestsProtestersPoliceInjured22 November 2012Seat of the Municipality50n/an/an/a12 November 2012Seat of the Municipality400–600n/an/an/a21 November 2012Maribor Town Hall1,000n/a2226 November 2012Liberty square10,0003111113 December 2012Liberty square20,000119142510 December 2012Seat of Maribor's court and prison100–200Mariborski protestniki napovedujejo pritožbo na vrhovno sodišče https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mariborski-protestniki-napovedujejo-pritozbo-na-vrhovno-sodisce/297693 RTV Slovenija L.L. A.Č. sl 10 December 2012 19 December 2012n/an/an/a14 December 2012Liberty square10,000Protestniki v Mariboru uresničili obljubo: Hobotnica je gorela https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/protestniki-v-mariboru-uresnicili-obljubo-hobotnica-je-gorela/298034 RTV Slovenija A.K.K. sl 14 December 2012 19 December 2012n/an/an/a Notes Note 1: The number of protesters is approximate and provided by the state-owned RTV Slovenija. Note 2: The list includes only those who sought and received medical treatment. Slovenia 2012–2013 Slovenian protests +List of 2012 and 2013 Slovenian protests and figures from the eventsDateVenueNumber of demonstrators1ArrestsProtestersPoliceInjured227 November 2012Ljubljana1,000Protestniki pred DZ-jem: Obrnite se proti parlamentu, barabe so tam! https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/protestniki-pred-dz-jem-obrnite-se-proti-parlamentu-barabe-so-tam/296775 RTV Slovenija A.Č. Luka Lukič sl 27 November 2012 26 November 2012n/a1n/a28 November 2012Jesenice60Na Jesenicah protestiralo okoli 60 ljudi: "Ejga, konc je!" https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/na-jesenicah-protestiralo-okoli-60-ljudi-ejga-konc-je/296868 RTV Slovenija A.Č. sl 28 November 2012 28 November 2012n/an/an/a29 November 2012Kranj1,000Kranjski protesti minili mirno, razbiti dve šipi, dva človeka pridržana https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/kranjski-protesti-minili-mirno-razbiti-dve-sipi-dva-cloveka-pridrzana/296934 RTV Slovenija A.Č. sl 29 November 2012 29 November 20122n/an/a30 November 2012Ajdovščina200n/an/an/aKoper250n/an/an/aLjubljana10,000Ranjenih 11 protestnikov in 15 policistov. 30 pridržanih. https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-video-ranjenih-11-protestnikov-in-15-policistov-30-pridrzanih/296969 RTV Slovenija Al. Ma. T. H. S. B. L. B. V. sl 30 November 2012 1 December 2012301115Nova Gorica400–1,500300 ljudi v Novi Gorici proti državni politiki https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-300-ljudi-v-novi-gorici-proti-drzavni-politiki/297584 RTV Slovenija B.V. sl 8 December 2012 8 December 2012n/an/an/aNovo mesto300n/an/an/aTrbovlje300n/an/an/aVelenje350n/an/an/a2 December 2012Krško200Protestni shod na trgu Matije Gubca v Krškem https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/protestni-shod-na-trgu-matije-gubca-v-krskem/297150 RTV Slovenija A. S. Goran Rovan sl 2 December 2012 2 December 2012n/an/an/a3 December 2012Celje2,50015n/an/aLjubljana4,000n/an/an/aPtuj600n/an/an/aRavne na Koroškem500n/an/an/aTrbovlje400n/an/an/a4 December 2012Jesenice400Prekinjen protestni shod na Jesenicah. 11 pridržanih. https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/prekinjen-protestni-shod-na-jesenicah-11-pridrzanih/297310 G.C. RTV Slovenija sl 4 December 2012 5 December 201211n/an/a6 December 2012Koper400V Kopru v sodno palačo letela pirotehnična sredstva https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-v-kopru-v-sodno-palaco-letela-pirotehnicna-sredstva/297422 RTV Slovenija S. B. L. A. S. sl 6 December 2012 7 December 201215n/an/aKranj500n/an/an/a7 December 2012Ajdovščina200n/an/an/aBohinjska Bistrica30n/an/an/aLjubljana1,000–2,0001.000 ljubljanskih protestnikov s pesmijo in plesom "proti diktaturi kapitala" https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-1-000-ljubljanskih-protestnikov-s-pesmijo-in-plesom-proti-diktaturi-kapitala/297541 RTV Slovenija Al. Ma. sl 7 December 2012 8 December 2012n/an/an/aMurska Sobota2,000–2,500n/an/an/a8 December 2012Nova Gorica300n/an/an/a9 December 2012Brežice100–200V Brežicah proti politični eliti in korupciji https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-v-brezicah-proti-politicni-eliti-in-korupciji/297676 RTV Slovenija B.R. sl 9 December 2012 10 December 2012n/an/an/a10 December 2012Ljubljana100n/an/an/aPtuj100n/an/an/a12 December 2012Celje200V Celju in Kopru proti županoma in oblasti https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-celju-in-kopru-proti-zupanoma-in-oblasti/297920 RTV Slovenija A.Č. sl 12 December 2012 19 December 2012n/an/an/aKoper100n/an/an/a13 December 2012Jesenice30Na ljubljanskih ulicah v podporo priprtim protestnikom https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-na-ljubljanskih-ulicah-v-podporo-priprtim-protestnikom/298001#tn3=0/protest-ljubljana-131220127 RTV Slovenija Andrej Čebokli sl 13 December 2012 19 December 2012n/an/an/aLjubljana40n/an/an/a14 December 2012Ajdovščina30Kranj, Trebnje, Litija, Murska Sobota, Lendava, Ajdovščina: protesti (v živo) https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/kranj-trebnje-litija-murska-sobota-lendava-ajdovscina-protesti-v-zivo.html Delo Ni. Č. sl 14 December 2012 19 December 2012n/an/an/aKranj50n/an/an/aLendava50n/an/an/aLitija10n/an/an/aMurska Sobota250n/an/an/aTrebnje100n/an/an/a11 January 2013Ljubljana8000+https://www.delo.si/novice/slovenija/2-vseslovenska-vstaja-v-zivo.html 2. vseslovenska vstaja (v živo) Pi. K. Ni. K. An. B. 11 January 2013 Delo 9 February 20132n/an/a8 February 2013Ljubljana20,000+https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/foto-najvecja-vseslovenska-vstaja-do-zdaj-protestiralo-20-000-ljudi/302017 Največja vseslovenska vstaja do zdaj. Protestiralo 20.000 ljudi. 9 February 2013 RTV Slovenia 9 February 20135n/an/a9 March 2013Ljubljana5,000+https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/4-vseslovenska-vstaja-koncna-s-pozivom-oblast-ljudem/304060 4. vseslovenska vstaja končna s pozivom: Oblast ljudem! 9 March 2013 RTV Slovenia 14 March 20134n/an/a Notes Note 1: The number of protesters is approximate and provided by the state-owned RTV Slovenija and Delo, the largest national daily newspaper in the country. Note 2: The list includes only those who sought and received medical treatment. See also Sheriff (Slovenia) Footnotes Police2611 P–1 P–1After the events on 26 November, the Director of the Maribor Police Department officially denied claims of excessive use of police force and stated that the police acted after they were attacked by the protesters.Obsedno stanje v MB – ranjeni trije policisti, aretiranih več protestnikov https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/video-obsedno-stanje-v-mb-ranjeni-trije-policisti-aretiranih-vec-protestnikov/296698 RTV Slovenija T. H. A. K. K. sl 26 November 2012 26 November 2012 However, YouTube videos emerged, which shows how violent opposition of the people only began after the police decided to throw tear gas into the crowd and forcibly disperse the protest. One of the videos even shows how peaceful sitting protesters are being sprayed with tear gas. RadarVandalism V–1 V–1For the most part vandalism was restricted towards the destruction of the traffic radars.Zagoreli novi mariborski radarji https://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/zagoreli-novi-mariborski-radarji/294079 RTV Slovenija A.S. sl 21 October 2012 30 November 2012V Mariboru odslej kazni, radarji spet goreli https://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/v-mariboru-odslej-kazni-radarji-spet-goreli/294210 RTV Slovenija T.K.B sl 23 October 2012 30 November 2012V Mariboru ponoči gorel že peti radar https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/v-mariboru-ponoci-gorel-ze-peti-radar/294310 RTV Slovenija A.K.K sl 24 October 2012 30 November 2012V Mariboru gorela še dva radarja, občina se brani očitkov https://www.rtvslo.si/lokalne-novice/v-mariboru-gorela-se-dva-radarja-obcina-se-brani-ocitkov/294738 RTV Slovenija L. L. Al. Ma. sl 30 October 2012 30 November 2012Mariborčani zažgali že osmi radar https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/mariborcani-zazgali-ze-osmi-radar/295265 RTV Slovenija Breda Čepe Radio Maribor sl 7 November 2012 30 November 2012Zagorel že deveti mariborski radar https://www.rtvslo.si/crna-kronika/zagorel-ze-deveti-mariborski-radar/295504 RTV Slovenija B. V. sl 10 November 2012 30 November 2012Razdejanje v Mariboru: pridržanih 120 ljudi, ranjenih več kot 30 https://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/razdejanje-v-mariboru-pridrzanih-120-ljudi-ranjenih-vec-kot-30/297248 RTV Slovenija T. K. B. sl 4 December 2012 4 December 2012 However, some Municipal buildings also suffered damage during the riots. References External links Maribor 2012 protests Category:2012 protests Category:2013 protests Category:2012 riots Category:2013 riots Category:2012 in Slovenia Category:2013 in Slovenia Category:Protests in Slovenia 2012–2013 protests