Namely, the Austrian newspaper Die Presse reported earlier this week that fighters of the radical Sunni group Islamic State had also trained in Slovenia. The media then published further reports, claiming that in April 2014 the most radical Slovenian Muslims met up with Salafists from Vienna and Graz at a sports centre called Korant, which is located at Dol near Ljubljana.

Grims, who presides the Intelligence and Security Committee, pointed out after its closed session on Friday that the happening surrounding this event has been thoroughly analysed. The findings conclude that Slovenian intelligence services had received timely information from their Austrian counterparts.

Grims: Closed borders unpleasant for Austrians, too
"The event, which took place a year and a half ago, was old news until now, with several extensive news articles being published recently and unfortunately also fairly uncritical recaps in Slovenia. Slovenia is safe. The most probable reason why this was published – because Austria is ousting Slovenia from Schengen by closing the border and thus blocking free movement across the border. Namely, crossing the border outside of official border crossings may be sanctioned with draconic punishments, and also since a closed border is unpleasant news for Austrian citizens, too," added Grims in a critical response to Austria’s measures.

Slovenia cooperates with its neighbouring countries as well as other countries and intelligence services in an appropriate manner and nonstop, ensuring the exchange of information, concluded Grims.

A. Č., MMC; translated by K. Z.