In a shocking turn of events, Croatia's health minister and several others have been detained on suspicion of corruption. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb announced that Minister Vili Beroš, along with directors of two hospitals in Zagreb and two companies, are under investigation for alleged bribery, abuse of power, and money laundering.
Following the news, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic swiftly removed Beroš from his government position. The EPPO revealed that the suspects are accused of engaging in corrupt activities to secure financial gains for specific companies, including offering bribes to manipulate public procurement processes.
Croatia, known for its struggles with systemic corruption, has often been ranked poorly by international anti-graft organizations. The EPPO's statement detailed several instances where bribes were allegedly offered to key stakeholders in the public health system, including the health minister and hospital directors, to influence contract decisions.
Despite attempts to sway decisions in favor of certain companies, some individuals resisted the corruption. In one case, a responsible party in the coastal town of Split declined a bribe offered for an EU-funded project. However, in other instances in Zagreb hospitals, approvals for purchases were allegedly granted at inflated prices, resulting in significant financial losses for the Croatian national budget.
The EPPO, as the independent public prosecutors' office of the European Union, is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting crimes against the financial interests of the EU. The ongoing probe in Croatia underscores the importance of upholding integrity and transparency in public institutions to combat corruption effectively.
