Philippine worker attacked in Ljubljana; police deny racial motive
A Philippine worker was attacked in broad daylight at the railway station in Ljubljana. A workers' advisory service warns of a rise in xenophobic attacks on foreign workers in Slovenia.
Attack on Philippine worker in Ljubljana: dispute over police conduct
Late last week, a man physically attacked a Philippine worker outside one of the shops near Ljubljana's main railway station in broad daylight — beating and choking him and threatening him during the assault to return to his homeland or he would kill him. This was reported to RTV Slovenia by Goran Lukić from the Workers' Advisory Service, who, together with the Association of Philippine Workers, alerted the public to the incident.
The attacked worker immediately notified his employer, who assured him that he would call the police. Since officers did not arrive at the scene for more than half an hour, the worker called them himself. Meanwhile, he followed the assailant to prevent his escape. At a nearby construction site, the man attempted to attack him again, but construction workers intervened and physically restrained the assailant.
Receiving the report and police conduct
When the two officers finally arrived, the worker explained what had happened to them, but according to his account, they were not willing to accept a criminal report at the scene. Instead, they directed him to the police station. The worker went to Ljubljana City Police Station, where he filed the report. Lukić emphasised that even the shift supervisor was surprised that the officers had not accepted the report at the scene.
After the attack, the victim sought medical help at Ljubljana University Medical Centre. In addition to physical injuries, he is struggling with psychological difficulties — since then he has slept poorly and is afraid to walk the streets in the evening. "He is also concerned about the safety of his Philippine friends, especially female friends," Lukić said. When the worker posted the story and photographs on social media, it emerged that a similar attack had occurred to another Philippine worker at the same location on the same day.
Workers' Advisory Service: sense of security undermined
The Workers' Advisory Service warns that foreign workers in Slovenia are already accustomed to daily insults and verbal harassment, particularly on public transport, but have not previously lived in fear of physical attacks. This incident has severely undermined their sense of security.
Lukić highlighted the inappropriate conduct of the officers, who in his view did not take the Philippine worker seriously, did not apprehend the assailant and did not immediately accept the report. According to him, they even advised him to let the matter rest. He is convinced that the worker was treated in such a manner also because he is a foreigner. Lukić also warned of the responsibility of politicians and called on them not to incite hatred and intolerance.
Statement from Ljubljana Police Directorate
The Ljubljana Police Directorate explained to STA that it does not detect an increased number of reports of violent offences in the city where the victims are foreigners and the offences were committed out of racial intolerance. This year they have dealt with individual, unrelated cases, whose numbers do not deviate from previous years.
Regarding the specific incident, they explained that the officers conducted an interview with the victim and began drawing up a record of an oral criminal report. During the procedure, they were directed elsewhere due to an urgent intervention event, which they notified the victim of and agreed with him that the procedure would continue at the police station. According to police claims, the victim agreed to this, and the record was subsequently completed.
Police also assert that the victim did not state in the interview that the assailant had threatened him with death or choked him. The gathering of information within the pre-criminal procedure is being carried out on suspicion of the criminal offence of causing light bodily injury, and the identity of the assailant has not yet been established.
Based on the information gathered so far, the Ljubljana Police Directorate has not found circumstances suggesting a racial motive. Possible motives are still being investigated. They again urged victims of violent offences and witnesses to report the incident to police and warned of the importance of responsible dissemination of information, as unverified statements can create a false picture of the actual circumstances.
Police have assured that all allegations raised will be checked and the investigation will continue as a priority, professionally and impartially.
Source: RTV Slovenija