A dispute between Croatia and the European Union over the investigation of a high-profile corruption case involving former Health Minister Vili Beros escalated on Thursday, with the EU’s chief prosecutor accusing Zagreb of failing to uphold the rule of law.
The conflict began last week when Croatian authorities arrested Beros on suspicion of corruption, only for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to reveal it had been conducting its own investigation into the matter and had been preparing to order searches. Beros, who denies any wrongdoing, was fired and detained for one month pending further investigations.
Both Croatia and the EU claimed they were unaware of the other’s investigation. The EU argued that it should take over the case, but Croatia’s State Attorney General, Ivan Turudic, ruled this week that Croatia’s Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) would handle the prosecution.
In response, the EU’s chief prosecutor said the EPPO had handed over its files to Croatia in accordance with EU rules, but strongly disagreed with the decision. The EU prosecutor’s office also wrote to the European Commission, raising concerns about Croatia’s systemic challenges in upholding the rule of law, although specific details were not provided.
The EPPO criticized Turudic’s decision, stating that it was based solely on USKOK’s interpretation without allowing the EPPO to offer its position, which they argued undermined impartiality.
It remains unclear whether the EU prosecutors will take further action to assert control over the case. The EPPO has suggested that a criminal group involved in securing financing for the sale of medical robotic devices in hospitals may have bribed officials to secure contracts, some of which were funded by the EU.
Turudic, however, defended his office’s actions, stating that the case was not related to EU funds and was being handled in accordance with Croatian law.
