Sodišče slovenske narodne časti v Novem mestu

Abstract

The Court of Slovenian National Honour was established in early June 1945. Until the end of August 1945, it tried those who had (allegedly) collaborated with the occupying forces during the war in any way. Senates consisting of five members held sessions in Ljubljana, Kranj, Novo Mesto, Celje, Maribor, Ptuj and Murska Sobota. In Novo Mesto, the first trial took place on 10 July, but the court ceased to operate as early as 14 July due to the dissatisfaction of the district committee of the Communist Party with the work of the jurist judges. The court treated the acts allegedly perpetrated by the accused very leniently and imposed fairly mild penalties. In nine trials, it sentenced 34 persons to the loss of national honour, 22 persons to light forced labour and six persons to a partial confiscation of property. After the court was abolished and a pardon was declared, the convicted were fully excused of forced labour. The legal implications of the penalty of the loss of national honour were limited to losing political and civil rights, including the right to vote. The penalty of property confiscation remained in effect.