On August 26, 2026, Slovenia’s Committee for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services (Knovs) convened to seek explanations from the Slovenian Intelligence Service (Sova) about potential foreign influence on national security, focusing on Russia and Israel. The meeting followed allegations of ties between President Nataša Pirc Musar and Russian entities, including a former security official and a Russian-Slovenian dual citizen. The session was announced in the official agenda of the committee, which is part of the Slovenian National Assembly (DZ).
The meeting, led by Svoboda party member Janja Sluga, who serves as the chair of Knovs, aimed to address concerns about external interference in Slovenia’s sovereignty. Officials from Sova were expected to present findings on foreign influence, particularly from Russia and Israel, amid heightened political scrutiny. The committee’s agenda included discussions on alleged connections between the president and Russian networks, fueled by recent media revelations. The meeting was sklicana (called) by Sluga pred tednom dni
(a week prior), according to the sources.
Knovs sklical sejo, pričakujejo pojasnila glede morebitnega vpliva Rusije
The context for the meeting emerged from public speculation about President Pirc Musar’s ties to Russia, including her friendship with Viktorija Krivolucka, a Russian-Slovenian dual citizen linked to former intelligence officials. Krivolucka, who had connections to the now-defunct Varnostno-informativna služba (VIS), was reported to have visited Russia multiple times between 2015 and 2022. These ties resurfaced during the campaign, prompting questions about potential foreign influence. The sources specifically note that Krivolucka was in Russia in connection with Roman Jeglič, who was the deputy director of VIS after its independence, and later lived in Russia.
Media reports, including those by Dnevnik in collaboration with the Austrian news agency APA, revealed that Krivolucka visited Russia multiple times between 2015 and 2022, with her final visit occurring for New Year 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These details were highlighted as part of the broader scrutiny of the president’s relationships. The sources also reference The Americans wonder who could access sensitive information,
according to the Institute Robert Lansing Krivolucka Affair, suggesting international concern over potential security breaches.
SDS parliamentarian Žan Mahnič publicly accused the president of collaborating with Russian intelligence networks, a claim denied by her office. Žan Mahnič said that there is a suspicion that the president collaborates with a Russian spy network. The president’s team rejected the allegations as sternly denied, emphasizing her commitment to national security. The sources also note that the president’s office sternly denied the claims.
Knovs pričakuje pojasnila Sove glede morebitnega vpliva Rusije in
The controversy also involved a meeting between Prime Minister Janez Janša and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who is linked to the Israeli firm Dream Group. Kurz, described as a businessman and president of an Israeli company, was accused of lobbying for Israeli cyber tools. Janša’s office confirmed the meeting but characterized it as of an informative and presentational nature. The sources state that the meeting was confirmed and added that it was of an informative and presentational nature.
Black Cube’s involvement remains contentious. The company, which has been implicated in similar operations abroad, has not publicly commented on its activities in Slovenia. However, Sova confirmed that its representatives visited the SDS headquarters, a detail that has fueled further scrutiny of the party’s ties to foreign entities. The sources state that Black Cube representatives visited the SDS headquarters on Trstenjakova Street in Ljubljana, and Sova also confirmed the visits.
Predstavniki Sove na Knovsu o vplivih Rusije in Izraela
The meeting also addressed allegations of foreign interference in the election. Anonymous, manipulated conversations involving members of the left-leaning political spectrum were cited as evidence of influence networks and alleged corruption. These leaks, attributed to para-intelligence operatives from Black Cube, were described in the sources as secretly recorded, manipulated, and anonymously published conversations. The sources also note that behind them were para-intelligence agents from the Israeli company Black Cube.
The committee’s findings could influence future policies on national security and foreign relations. Slovenia’s intelligence agencies have faced criticism for their handling of sensitive cases, with some analysts questioning their transparency. The sources highlight that the meeting was part of a broader effort to investigate potential threats to Slovenia’s sovereignty, with Sova providing information on the potential influence of third countries, particularly Russia and Israel, on the sovereignty and national security of the Republic of Slovenia.
As the committee continues its inquiry, the focus remains on verifying claims of foreign interference. The results could shape Slovenia’s approach to national security, particularly in light of its strategic position in Europe. For now, the debate over sovereignty and external influence shows no signs of abating, with ongoing scrutiny of political figures, intelligence agencies, and foreign entities.
