Video of detention of man who died released in Slovenia — Balkan Insight
In Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, Slovenian media have released a video of the police detention of 37-year-old Armin Djutovic. After the incident, he suffered cardiac arrest and died in hospital three days later. In body-camera footage, the man tells police officers that he cannot breathe. This was reported by Balkan Insight.
Detention on Copova Street
The incident occurred on 8 December 2024 on Copova Street in Ljubljana. Police were called after a report that a man was throwing around and damaging chairs on a café terrace. According to police, Djutovic struck a Dutch national, resisted during the officers’ intervention and attempted to flee.
The video obtained by Slovenian media outlets 24ur and POP TV shows police officers forcing the man to the ground. One of them held Djutovic in a neck hold for more than a minute. He can be heard saying: “I will die, please, I cannot breathe.”
After the man was handcuffed, he remained motionless for several minutes. According to the indictment, the police officers present did not provide him with first aid immediately.
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The case is before a court
The prosecution has charged six police officers. Officer Jan Dovnik is accused of applying a rear neck hold and continuing to apply pressure after Djutovic lost consciousness. He is charged with causing death by negligence. Five other police officers are charged with failure to provide assistance.
Djutovic suffered severe irreversible brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. He was taken to hospital, where he died on 11 December 2024. Earlier, an inspection by Slovenia’s Ministry of the Interior concluded that the intervention was unprofessional and disproportionate, and that first aid was not provided without delay. The ministry found the use of force against the already handcuffed man to be unlawful, unprofessional and disproportionate.
Criminal proceedings against the six police officers are ongoing at the Ljubljana District Court. Igor Toplak, a representative of the Police Trade Union, called for awaiting the conclusions of court-appointed experts and the court’s decision before drawing final conclusions.
