Croatia’s health minister dismissed amid corruption probe, arrested by authorities

Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Friday announced the dismissal of Health Minister Vili Beros, who was arrested earlier in the day on suspicion of abuse of office. The arrest was part of an anti-corruption operation led by the Croatian Bureau for Office for Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK).

“This morning, former minister Vili Beros and two other individuals were arrested as part of an operation conducted” by anti-corruptions officials, Plenkovic said during a press conference.

Corruption allegations lead to high-level arrests

The Croatian government stated that Beros was removed from office due to his involvement in the corruption probe. Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic appointed Irena Hrstic as the acting health minister until a permanent replacement is named.

USKOK reported several high-ranking officials were detained on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power.

The operation reportedly stemmed from an investigation into excessive payments made for the purchase of surgical microscopes. Among those arrested was Kresimir Rotim, director of the Zagreb Neurology Clinic, according to local media reports.

According to the first information, the investigators are targeting, in addition to the minister, several high-ranking doctors, among them the directors of some hospitals.

The arrests and the implementation of urgent evidentiary actions are the result of investigations previously carried out by USKOK.

The aforementioned actions are carried out in the area of ​​Zagreb and Skradin in relation to several persons, one of whom is a high-ranking state official, and who are reasonably suspected of having committed corrupt criminal acts.

After questioning the suspects, USKOK will make a decision on further action in the case in question, about which it will inform the public in a timely manner

USKOK

Government and public reactions

The arrests, including that of Beros, have been labeled a “major embarrassment” by Croatian officials. The investigation is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge in the coming days.