USKOK probes Jankomir hospital over corruption claims

The news in Croatian

1. USKOK  (m.)
   državno tijelo koje istražuje i progoni osobe osumnjičene za korupciju i organizirani kriminal ↩︎
2. istraživati
   sustavno i detaljno proučavati ili ispitivati nešto kako bi se otkrile nove činjenice ↩︎
3. korupcija  (f.)
   nepošteno i protuzakonito ponašanje osoba na vlasti koje primaju ili nude mito radi osobne koristi ↩︎
4. uhititi
   službeno lišiti nekoga slobode, obično od strane policije ↩︎
5. zlouporaba  (f.)
   korištenje nečega na pogrešan, štetan ili protuzakonit način ↩︎
6. nabava  (f.)
   proces kupovanja ili osiguravanja robe i usluga, posebno za poduzeća ili javne ustanove ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What type of hospital is being investigated in Jankomir, Zagreb?

Question 2: Who reported the suspicious activities to the authorities?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
USKOK  (m.)	Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK)
istraživati	to investigate
korupcija  (f.)	corruption
uhititi	to arrest
zlouporaba  (f.)	abuse / misuse
nabava  (f.)	procurement / purchasing

Read the full story

Croatia’s anti‑corruption office USKOK has launched a major investigation into alleged corruption linked to construction works at the Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic in Jankomir, a large psychiatric hospital on the western edge of Zagreb.

According to official statements, police and USKOK carried out co‑ordinated arrests and searches in three cities – Zagreb, Velika Gorica and Kutina. The action targets several individuals and companies suspected of committing corruption‑related criminal offences in connection with building projects at the clinic, which is under the authority of the City of Zagreb.

The Interior Minister, Davor Božinović, said that eight individuals had been arrested, while a total of 11 people and multiple companies are covered by the wider operation. He stated that the case concerns alleged offences such as abuse of position and authority, unlawful favouritism and incitement to commit such offences.

Croatian media, citing unofficial but widely reported information, name among the suspects the former director of the clinic, Vladimir Grošić, and several people responsible in companies that carried out construction works at the hospital. One of these projects was the adaptation of the Day Hospital for Addictions, with a reported overall value of about two million euros.

Reporters also state that the main nurse of the clinic, Kristina Bosak, is under suspicion. In reaction to these reports, both the Chamber of Nurses and the Medical Chamber publicly condemned any form of corruption in the health sector, stressing professional and ethical obligations, while avoiding comments on individual guilt before the investigation is completed.

The companies said to be under investigation include Brombauer projekt, Tehno Concept and Life Concept, which allegedly took part in works at the Jankomir facility. Media reports, again based on unofficial information, claim that the public contract for the project was split into several smaller procurement procedures, known in Croatia as “cijepkanje javne nabave” (fragmenting public procurement), in order to bypass stricter tender rules.

Sources further suggest that investigators are examining the movement of funds between multiple bank accounts, and that money originally intended for hospital works may have been diverted and later used for the purchase of real estate. These claims have not yet been formally confirmed by USKOK and remain part of the working suspicions under review.

Zagreb’s mayor, Tomislav Tomašević, stated that the City of Zagreb itself initiated internal checks. The city’s Office for Internal Audit and Control carried out a review of public procurement at the clinic after doubts were raised within the City Health Department. According to the mayor, the audit report indicated “grounds for suspicion of irregularities” in the way contracts were awarded, particularly concerning the splitting of tenders. The city then forwarded its findings to the State Attorney’s Office (DORH), which is the body overseeing USKOK.

USKOK has confirmed that it ordered the arrests and so‑called urgent evidentiary actions, including searches of homes, offices and company premises. These are being carried out by officers of the Criminal Police Directorate. In an official statement, the prosecution service said that, once the suspects have been questioned, it will decide whether to open a formal investigation and whether to request pre‑trial detention for any of them.

The Ministry of the Interior also issued a brief announcement, emphasising that the operation is being conducted in co‑operation with USKOK and that all suspected persons will be taken to a detention facility after searches and other urgent measures are completed. The Ministry did not provide additional details, referring to the ongoing nature of the case.

Croatia’s health sector has seen several corruption investigations in recent years, and the Jankomir case is already being discussed in that wider context. However, at this stage, all those arrested or mentioned in the media are considered innocent until proven guilty. The final legal qualification of the alleged acts, and the responsibility of each person or company, will depend on the outcome of USKOK’s investigation and any future court proceedings.

Info: ‘Croatian Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Croatian’, a language school offering various types of online Croatian courses and opportunities for learning Croatian in Croatia. It provides information and resources for learners who wish to improve their Croatian, whether studying remotely or during a stay in the country.