Ljubljana - The Ljubljana police have so far identified three suspects and eight victims under an investigation into alleged sexual abuse that was launched in August following anonymous testimonies and media reports. The police have also identified other crimes as part of the inquiry, Damjan Petrič, the department's head, said on Tuesday.

Ljubljana police officers and investigators have conducted more than 60 interviews and have been actively working on the case ever since the first reports emerged on 20 August, Petrič told the press.

Initially they only had anonymous information available in the media and anonymous testimonies on Instagram. They combed through thousands of comments on various social networks and, on that basis, "identified persons who could provide useful information in specific cases".

Then they interviewed the first witness on 25 August, and the individual explained in more detail that there might be grounds for suspecting that crimes had been committed, and who the victims might be. A day later, the findings were reported to the District Public Prosecutor's Office, Petrič said.

CCTV footage and electronic devices were obtained, and in certain cases interviews were repeated or even conducted abroad. It has been established that in addition to suspected sexual offences, there are grounds for suspecting other offences as well.

There are ten offences suspected currently, "including offences against life and limb, sexual integrity and property, and drug offences".

Eight victims and three suspects have been identified, and the investigation is ongoing. "We are handling the case carefully and thoroughly and are taking all possible measures under relevant legal powers."

The investigation was launched in the aftermath of anonymous testimonies on social media and media reports of alleged multiple cases of sexual violence committed by Dušan Smodej, manager of Fotopub, a contemporary art gallery in Ljubljana. These offences are said to have also been committed at the after parties he hosted there.

The anonymous testimonies report, among other things, that Smodej did not take no for an answer, especially when intoxicated, used date rape drugs and assaulted and raped women. There have been allegations that Roman Uranjek, his friend and a prominent contemporary artist who committed suicide in August, had also been a sexual predator.

Last week, Smodej appeared in the current affairs show Tarča and denied the allegations, saying that he and Uranjek shared "similar sexual fantasies". He said the police had not interviewed him or searched his house. The police later told the STA that investigations were tailored to the specific circumstances of individual cases.