Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, has terminated the position of Health Minister Vili Beros following his recent arrest related to an extensive corruption investigation linked to the European Union. This action underscores the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption within its ranks.
During a press conference held on Friday, Prime Minister Plenkovic confirmed the arrest of Beros along with two other individuals as part of an operation executed by anticorruption officials. Plenkovic emphasized his dismay at the thought that anyone within the healthcare sector might misuse their position for personal gain or to favor associates, thereby compromising the integrity of the system.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), headquartered in Zagreb, initiated an investigation involving eight individuals, including Beros and directors from two prominent hospitals. The EPPO has levied serious allegations against the suspects and two companies, accusing them of accepting and giving bribes, as well as engaging in abuses of power and money laundering.
Beros has categorically denied any involvement in criminal wrongdoing, as stated by his legal representative, Laura Vakovic. In response to the unfolding situation, Prime Minister Plenkovic reaffirmed his commitment to exposing any individuals implicated in criminal activities, asserting that the government would not shield anyone from prosecution, regardless of their political affiliation or position.
According to prosecutors, between June 2022 and November 2024, the suspects reportedly attempted to secure illicit financial advantages through a scheme concerning the sale of medical robotic devices across various Croatian hospitals. They allegedly attempted to manipulate the public procurement process by offering bribes, which were successful on several occasions but notably failed with an EU-funded project in Split, where their proposal was rejected.
In additional claims, it has been suggested that Beros, in exchange for receiving bribes, approved the procurement of operating microscopes at significantly inflated prices, thus harming the Croatian national budget by around 4,000.
The Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) has confirmed the arrests without revealing the identities of the suspects. Beros’s appointment followed the dismissal of his predecessor, Milan Kujundzic, who left office in January 2020 due to allegations concerning undeclared assets.
Croatia has long grappled with issues of systemic and political corruption, often ranking among the most corrupt nations in the European Union, a concern that the current government continues to address vigorously.
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