Croatia’s anti-graft prosecutor on Wednesday, July 16th, charged former Health Minister Vili Beroš and seven others with a string of alleged corruption offences, including bribery and money laundering, relating to the procurement of health equipment.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković earlier sacked Beroš after his arrest in mid-November, the latest minister to fall as the Balkan nation struggles with rampant corruption.
According to the prosecutor’s indictment, Beroš’ alleged crime cost the state over €740,000 while the former minister is suspected of having received €75,000.
The prosecutor’s office said the eight were charged with “participation in a criminal organisation, giving and receiving bribes, abuse of position and authority, unlawful favouritism, influence peddling, and money laundering.”
Following their arrest in November, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Zagreb launched an investigation into eight people, including Beroš.
Croatian authorities took over the case later that month.
Beroš is the second minister to be arrested since the centre-right HDZ came to power, following the 2022 arrest of former construction minister Darko Horvat, who was also charged with corruption.
