- He was in personal bankruptcy, now he has 800 thousand euros for plots at Ljubljana

A Slovenian businessman who was once embroiled in controversial land deals in Ljubljana has resurfaced with nearly 800,000 euros to purchase land near Domžale. Zdravko Šinko, previously linked to failed ventures and financial troubles, signed a contract earlier this year to buy property in Lukovica, where residential development is planned. The transaction, valued at almost one million euros, appears to have been funded without a bank loan, raising questions about the source of his newfound wealth. Šinko’s involvement in real estate dealings dates back over a decade, during which he operated several companies that acquired large plots of agricultural land around Ljubljana. These purchases were later scrutinized due to concerns about their financing and potential conflicts of interest. His businesses, including Vaz Gradnja and Nassa, were closely tied to two major construction firms in Ljubljana, Cestno podjetje Ljubljana (CPL) and Komunalno podjetje Ljubljana (KPL). CPL eventually collapsed into insolvency, while KPL is now owned by Mladen Milanović Kaja, a prominent businessman in the Republic of Serbia. The collapse of CPL occurred after its owner, Ranko Mimović, attempted to rescue the company but ultimately failed. Mimović, a Serbian entrepreneur known for dubious business practices, was later convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years in prison. He disappeared from public view for several years before recently reappearing in Serbia, reportedly interested in acquiring the state-owned oil company Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS). Šinko’s connection to Mimović began when he sold his companies, Vaz Gradnja and Nassa, to Mimović in 2012. At the time, there were questions about the source of funds used to finance these transactions. The Office for the Prevention of Money Laundering (UPPD) temporarily blocked approximately 6.7 million euros of the proceeds from the sale, citing concerns about the legitimacy of the funds. Despite these issues, Šinko remained active in real estate until he faced personal bankruptcy and was officially declared insolvent. However, recent developments suggest he has regained financial stability. His acquisition of land in Lukovica, near Domžale, indicates a return to high-profile investments. According to publicly available records, the purchase does not appear to have been financed through traditional banking channels, adding to speculation about how he secured the necessary capital. Šinko's past dealings have drawn attention from authorities and investigators. His companies were linked to a parliamentary inquiry initiated by the SDS party, which examined land acquisitions and potential conflicts of interest. Šinko himself was among those questioned during the investigation. The inquiry focused particularly on the role of offshore entities, such as the Cypriot-based Disonco Investments, which had ties to Juret Janković, a figure who consistently denied any connections to the transactions. The controversy surrounding Šinko’s activities extends beyond Slovenia. His former associate, Ranko Mimović, has recently emerged in Serbia, where he is seeking to take control of NIS, a major state-owned enterprise. Mimović’s legal troubles in the past include convictions related to financial misconduct and money laundering, though some of these rulings were later overturned due to procedural errors. Šinko’s current financial status raises further questions. How did he accumulate nearly 800,000 euros for the land purchase in Lukovica? What role did Mimović play in his resurgence? And how did he manage to navigate the legal and financial challenges that once left him bankrupt? These questions remain unanswered, but they underscore the complex web of relationships and financial dealings that continue to shape the landscape of Slovenian real estate and business. The land deal in Lukovica marks a new chapter for Šinko, who has long been associated with high-stakes investments and legal scrutiny. As the project moves forward, the origins of his funding will likely come under closer examination, especially given the history of questionable financial practices linked to both him and his former associates.