A Croatian corruption investigation snares the health minister and several others
Croatia’s health minister and several others were detained on Friday on suspicion of corruption as part of an investigation launched by the European prosecutor’s office
ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia's health minister and several others were detained on Friday on suspicion of corruption as part of an investigation launched by the European prosecutor's office, authorities said.
Minister Vili Beroš, the directors of two hospitals in the capital Zagreb, and two companies are suspected of «accepting and giving bribes, abuse of position and authority and money laundering,» the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, or EPPO, in Zagreb said in a statement.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković promptly sacked Beroš from the government, HRT state television said. Croatian media reported that police raided Beroš' home in Zagreb early on Friday.
“I am appalled by the idea that anyone in the health system would use their position for personal gains or for favors to anyone else,” Plenković said at a press conference. “The health system is a particularly sensitive department.
“We as a government have not and will not protect anyone from criminal prosecution if they are suspected of committing criminal acts, regardless of who that may be or which duty they have,” Plenković said.
Beroš' lawyer Laura Valković said he denied wrongdoing.
Croatia has had severe problems with systemic and political corruption. Among the 27 European Union member countries, it is generally ranked by international anti-graft groups as one of the most corrupt states.
The EPPO statement said that five of the suspects between June 2022 and Nov. 2024 “teamed up” to secure undue financial gains for two companies by promising and giving monetary rewards to relevant
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