Croatia launches corruption investigations against former health minister – JURIST

Croatia’s anti-corruption authority, Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK),  on Thursday launched an investigation against the former health minister Vili Beroš, in addition to two other companies, for allegations of corruption through the public health system. 

USKOK initiated an investigation against three Croatian citizens on suspicion of participating in a criminal association involving abuse of authority, trading in influence, bribery, and incitement to favoritism. The investigation revealed that, from mid-2022 to the end of 2023, the suspects — former health minister Beroš, a businessman Saša Pozder and a neurosurgeon Kresimir Rotim — collaborated to influence public procurement, ensuring state hospitals bought overpriced medical devices from a company.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has also launched an investigation against eight individuals, including Beroš, two hospital directors, and two companies. They are suspected of bribery, abuse of authority, and money laundering between June 2022 and November 2024.

Between 2022 and 2024, a criminal organization allegedly bribed Croatian health officials, including Beroš, to secure exclusive, overpriced medical device sales for two companies they managed. By manipulating procurement processes to exclude competitors, they inflated equipment prices, costing the national budget €619,582.64. False invoices were issued as part of an effort to conceal these actions.

The Zagreb County Court’s investigating judge has ordered a one-month pre-trial detention for former Beroš, who was also dismissed from his position as a Minister of Health following his arrest.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković held a press conference and stated that both USKOK and the EPPO are aware of the case and are conducting parallel investigations. Plenković emphasized his coalition’s unified stance against corruption and downplayed any impact on coalition stability. He also denied any prior knowledge, maintaining that he could not have anticipated these actions and monitored individuals covertly in a democratic institution. Plenković also stated that anyone acting illegally must face the consequences.