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Corruption Arrests in Croatian Health Ministry
Croatia's health minister and others were detained on corruption charges related to medical equipment purchases, prompting the prime minister to dismiss the minister.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsEuropean UnionInvestigationHealthcareGovernmentCorruptionBribery
European Public Prosecutor’s Office (Eppo)Croatian GovernmentHospitals In Zagreb
Vili BerošAndrej PlenkovićLaura Valković
- What organization initiated the investigation?
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) launched the investigation, alleging that the suspects conspired to secure undue financial gains for companies selling medical devices. This included offering bribes to manipulate public procurement processes and inflate prices.
- What is the broader context of corruption in Croatia?
- Croatia faces ongoing issues with systemic and political corruption, frequently ranking among the most corrupt EU member states according to international anti-corruption groups. This case highlights the continued challenges in combating such corruption within the country's institutions.
- Who was detained in Croatia on suspicion of corruption?
- Croatia's Health Minister, Vili Beroš, was detained on suspicion of corruption, along with several others, including hospital directors and company representatives. The investigation involves allegations of bribery, abuse of power, and money laundering related to medical equipment purchases.
- What was the Prime Minister's response to the detentions?
- Prime Minister Andrej Plenković immediately fired Minister Beroš following the detention. Plenković emphasized that the government would not protect anyone suspected of criminal activity, regardless of their position.
- What medical equipment was involved in the alleged corrupt activities?
- The alleged scheme involved attempts to secure contracts for medical robotic devices and operating microscopes. In one instance, a bribe was offered but refused; however, other attempts allegedly resulted in inflated prices for operating microscopes, causing significant financial losses.