“Personally, I’m horrified by the concept somebody within the well being system would use their place to acquire private advantages or favors for an additional individual,” Plenković mentioned at a press convention. “The well being system is a very delicate division.
“We, as a authorities, haven’t and won’t defend anybody from legal prosecution if they’re suspected of committing legal acts, no matter who they’re or what their responsibility is,” Plenković mentioned.
Beroš's lawyer, Laura Valković, mentioned she rejects the corruption allegations.
Croatia has had critical issues with political and systemic corruption. Among the many 27 member international locations of the European Union, worldwide anti-corruption teams typically rank it as one of the vital corrupt states.
The EPPO assertion mentioned that 5 of the suspects between June 2022 and November 2024 “teamed up” to safe improper monetary positive aspects for 2 firms by promising and giving financial rewards to related stakeholders.
“Their aim was to make sure that one of many firms was allowed to promote robotic medical gadgets for a number of hospitals in Croatia,” the assertion added. The group can also be suspected of providing bribes to control the general public procurement course of and exclude market competitors in favor of that firm.
“Different suspects provided and delivered bribes to a number of related stakeholders of the general public well being system, together with the minister of well being and the administrators of two hospitals, to acquire their help for various contracts” funded by the EU or Croatia's nationwide finances, it mentioned. the European Public Prosecutor's Workplace. assertion.
This was tried not less than 4 occasions however didn’t work within the case of an EU-funded mission within the coastal metropolis of Break up, the place the individual accountable rejected the provided bribe, prosecutors mentioned.
In three different instances in a number of hospitals in Zagreb, the assertion says, “there are allegations that the Minister of Well being, in trade for a bribe acquired, issued approvals for the acquisition of surgical microscopes at unjustifiably inflated costs and supplied funds for public procurement.” . .”
The worth was “unjustifiably elevated by 619,582.64 euros ($654,000) to the detriment of the Croatian nationwide finances,” he added.
The European Public Prosecutor's Workplace is the unbiased prosecutor's workplace of the European Union. It’s answerable for investigating, prosecuting and prosecuting crimes towards the monetary pursuits of the EU.
Credit score: AP
Credit score: AP