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The trial of Obersnell and three others has begun. They plead guilty.
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

The trial of Obersnell and three others has begun. They plead guilty.

The trial of former Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel and three others accused of misusing their positions with a company owned by former water polo player Samir Barać has begun at the County Court in Rijeka. The alleged misconduct involved a company named Viktoria, which purchased city-owned land for the construction of a multi-family building, causing financial harm to the City of Rijeka estimated at €176,000. Obersnel, along with former head of the Department of Development, Urbanism, Ecology, and Land Management Srđan Škunca, faces charges of abuse of position and authority. Barać is accused of inciting such abuse, while appraiser Zlatko Košćina is charged with assisting in the misuse of authority. During the initial hearing, all four defendants denied the allegations, with Obersnel stating he would present his arguments during the proceedings, and Barać claiming there was no agreement with other accused individuals. Škunca stated he acted within his authorized scope and denied any criminal conspiracy, while Košćina emphasized that he followed professional appraisal standards and had no prior agreements with Barać. The City of Rijeka, represented by its legal representative, seeks €1

The trial of former Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel and three others began on Monday at the Županijski Court in Rijeka. All four defendants, Obersnel, businessman and former water polo representative Samir Barać, former head of the City Development Office Srđan Škunca, and expert Zlatko Košćina, denied being guilty of the charges brought against them. According to the indictment, the actions of the accused caused financial damage to the city of Rijeka amounting to 176,000 euros. Alongside Obersnel and Barać, the indictment includes Škunca and Košićina. Košićina was engaged in assessing two apartments that were later acquired by the city after the completion of the building. Obersnel and Škunca face charges of abuse of position and authority, while Barać is charged with inciting such abuse, and Košićina is accused of assisting in the abuse of authority. The indictment was filed by USKOK before the Županijski Court in Rijeka in December. According to the indictment, Obersnel, as chairman of the Rijeka City Council and later as mayor, from June 2008 to the end of 2016, together with the former city chief, at Barać’s urging, reached agreements benefiting Barać's company Victoria, which purchased municipal land for the construction of a multi-family building, to the detriment of the city's financial interests. Obersnel denied the allegations, stating he would present his reasons during the proceedings. Barać claimed he would challenge any agreement with the other accused and emphasized that he submitted all requests to the city through the standard procedures, just like everyone else, and that the city suffered no damage. Škunca stated he acted within the scope of his authority and denies any activity resulting from a criminal agreement. Košićina noted that he met Barać twice, one time when he allowed him access to the apartment and another today at the hearing, and asserted that the appraisal was done according to professional standards, with no agreements involved. In the legal proceedings, the city of Rijeka, represented by its authorized representative, continues to pursue the claim that the first three accused should jointly compensate the city for damages of 176,000 euros, while Košićina will participate in compensating 102,000 euros. The trial continued with the presentation of evidence and reading of documents. The case centers around transactions involving municipal land dating back to 2008. At that time, the Rijeka City Council decided to sell land intended for the construction of a multi-family building, and Barać's Victoria was selected as the most favorable bidder in a public tender. USKOK alleges that subsequent steps were taken to alter initial conditions in favor of the investor. Obersnel and Škunca are charged with acting upon Barać’s request, using their authorities to benefit Victoria, while Barać is accused of instigating such actions. According to the indictment, these questionable actions spanned from June 2008 to the end of 2016. One of the early changes concerned the payment method. Victoria was allowed to settle part of the land price with apartments it had yet to build. In October 2008, Obersnel signed a long-term contract with Victoria on behalf of the city. The project was subsequently altered. Instead of the originally planned single residential building, permission was granted for the construction of two buildings, and additional municipal plots not included in the original tender were incorporated into the project. After the new parcelation, the city and Barać began planning the construction of the access road. According to the indictment, the expert Zlatko Košićina appraised the two apartments significantly above market value, creating an unjustified benefit for the company of approximately 102,378 euros. The remaining debt was settled in 2016 without interest calculation. Additionally, the tender process was allegedly tailored specifically for Barać's company, which already owned adjacent land. Part of the cost was covered by constructing the access road, with the city recognizing costs of 53,336 euros, although actual expenses amounted to only 22,768 euros, thereby providing the company with additional benefits. While the prosecution anticipates extensive documentary evidence and examination of experts, the defense has emphasized that all actions by the city administration were aimed at implementing urban plans and communal infrastructure, not at obtaining illegal benefits. The Županijski Court continues with the evidentiary proceedings in the coming days.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 8 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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9 reports

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/7/2026
The trial of Obersnell and three others has begun. They plead guilty.

The trial of former Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel and three others accused of misusing their positions with a company owned by former water polo player Samir Barać has begun at the County Court in Rijeka. The alleged misconduct involved a company named Viktoria, which purchased city-owned land for the construction of a multi-family building, causing financial harm to the City of Rijeka estimated at €176,000. Obersnel, along with former head of the Department of Development, Urbanism, Ecology, and Land Management Srđan Škunca, faces charges of abuse of position and authority. Barać is accused of inciting such abuse, while appraiser Zlatko Košćina is charged with assisting in the misuse of authority. During the initial hearing, all four defendants denied the allegations, with Obersnel stating he would present his arguments during the proceedings, and Barać claiming there was no agreement with other accused individuals. Škunca stated he acted within his authorized scope and denied any criminal conspiracy, while Košćina emphasized that he followed professional appraisal standards and had no prior agreements with Barać. The City of Rijeka, represented by its legal representative, seeks €1

Bias read (Center): The article presents the trial of several individuals involving alleged misuse of public office and financial damage to the City of Rijeka. It includes direct quotes from all parties involved, providing balanced perspectives without apparent favoritism toward any side. There is no evident editorial,

Why factuality (95): This article accurately describes the trial's beginning, the charges, and the individuals involved. It includes the financial figure (176,000 euros) and outlines the nature of the alleged misconduct. These details match those found in other sources, confirming consistency in reporting.

Why objectivity (90): The article remains neutral in tone, presenting the facts without taking sides or using emotionally charged language. It reports the defendants’ denials of guilt without implying their innocence or guilt.

Jutarnji list logoJutarnji listIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/7/2026
The trial of Obersnell, the former national team player, and two others began, and the judge responded with a harsh word: "A butcher!"

The article reports on the start of a trial at the Municipal Court in Rijeka involving former city mayor Vojko Obersnel, former city administrator Srđan Škunic, businessman Samir Barać, and long-time legal expert Zlatko Košćina. The case, known as 'Viktoria,' centers around allegations that between 2008 and 2016, decisions by the city administration favored Barać’s company, resulting in damages to the City of Rijeka exceeding €175,999.94. All four defendants have denied any wrongdoing, asserting they acted within legal procedures and that there was no illegal agreement or intent to benefit Barać’s company. Their defense challenges the prosecution’s claim that their actions caused harm to the city.

Bias read (Center): While the subject involves political figures and potential corruption, the article presents balanced reporting by including all defendants' denials and their arguments against the prosecution's claims. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing of the story, which focuses on legal defenses

Why factuality (95): The article accurately presents the trial's initiation, the charges, and the individuals involved. It includes the financial damage amount (176,000 euros) and the nature of the alleged misconduct. All these points align with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting the facts without taking sides or using emotionally charged language. It reports the defendants’ denials of guilt objectively without implying their innocence or guilt.

Novi list logoNovi listIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/7/2026
The trial has begun for Obersnell, The Duck and the Skunk, all of whom have pleaded not guilty

The trial of former Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel and three co-defendants has begun at the County Court in Rijeka. They face charges of abuse of position and authority, encouragement, and assistance in causing damage to the City of Rijeka amounting to at least €175,999.94. The prosecution alleges that between June 2008 and the end of 2016, officials altered tender conditions and allowed the redevelopment of land in favor of Samir Barać’s company, Viktoria d.o.o. This included approving the construction of two buildings instead of one, using property transfers to offset part of the purchase price, and adjusting a tender to benefit Barać’s firm. The defense claims all actions were aimed at implementing urban planning goals rather than securing illegal benefits. The court will continue the evidentiary process in the coming days.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal proceedings objectively, quoting both the prosecution's allegations and the defense's arguments without overtly favoring either side. It provides factual details of the charges and the defense's counterpoints, maintaining neutrality in tone and framing.

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the start of the trial involving Obersnel, Barać, Škunca, and Košćina, citing the charges of abuse of position and aiding in financial harm to the City of Rijeka. It provides specific figures (175,999.94 euros) and details about the alleged misconduct related to land s

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts without overt bias or emotional language. It quotes the defendants' statements that they are not guilty but does so objectively without suggesting their innocence or guilt.

Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 859/7/2026
The trial of Obersnell for damages of 176,000 euros has begun

Former mayor of Rijeka, Vojko Obersnel, and three others have been accused of misusing their positions related to a company owned by former water polo player Samir Barać, which allegedly caused damage of 176,000 euros to the City of Rijeka. The defendants include Obersnel, Barać, former head of the city's Department for Development, Urbanism, Ecology, and Land Management Srđan Škunca, and appraiser Zlatko Košćina. According to the indictment, Obersnel and Škunca abused their positions at the request of Barać, benefiting Barać's company Viktoria through land purchases for a multi-family building. During the trial at the County Court in Rijeka, all four defendants denied the allegations, claiming they acted within their authority and that no agreement or wrongdoing occurred. The City of Rijeka, represented by its legal representative, continues to seek compensation for the alleged damages.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the trial and the defense claims of the accused without overtly favoring any side. It includes direct quotes from the defendants denying the charges and mentions the City of Rijeka's stance without apparent bias. There is no evident loaded language or one-sided sourcing.

Why factuality (90): The article accurately conveys the start of the trial and the charges against the four individuals. However, it adds some contextual background about the 'Viktoria' affair and mentions the defense’s stance more explicitly than others, slightly deviating from strict neutrality in reporting. Still, th

Why objectivity (85): While mostly neutral, this article includes a headline that may subtly imply wrongdoing by referring to the case as an 'affair,' which can carry a negative connotation. Additionally, it includes a quote from the judge ('Lešinar!') that introduces a subjective element, reducing overall objectivity.

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 709/8/2026
Turn of events at Mlađan's trial: His fellow prisoner claims he was offered 800 euros for false testimony

At the Zupanijski Court in Varazdin, the trial of Srđan Mlađan, accused of inciting murder and abduction, continued. During the proceedings, a video showed his reaction to a segment from RTL's 'Dosje Jarak' featuring Željko Bijelić, Mlađan’s uncle and former cellmate, who is now a key witness. According to the indictment, Mlađan is alleged to have encouraged murders and planned abductions of witnesses and their families, potentially leading to additional 20 years in prison. Mlađan is currently serving a 27-year sentence in Lepoglava. Witness Renato Filipović, who lived with Mlađan in prison, testified that Bijelić asked him to falsely implicate Mlađan by writing a handwritten statement claiming he had heard Mlađan talk about killing people after release, offering 800 euros in exchange. Mlađan’s lawyer, Borislav Planinc, expressed satisfaction with Filipović’s testimony and plans to investigate his phone records to verify the claims.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a legal proceeding involving potential corruption and coercion within the prison system. The emphasis on the alleged bribe and the involvement of a family member (uncle) suggests a narrative that highlights systemic issues or ethical violations, which aligns more傾

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the ongoing trial of Srđan Mlađan at the Varazdin County Court and mentions his alleged involvement in encouraging murders and kidnappings. It also references the documentary 'Dosje Jarak' and quotes witness Renato Filipović’s account of being offered money to falsely

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the information neutrally but includes some potentially biased phrasing such as referring to Željko Bijelić as 'Mlađanov kum' (Mlađan’s best man) and describing him as a 'key witness.' The tone remains mostly objective, though there is a slight implication of conflict between wi

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659/8/2026
Witness at the trial of Srđan Mlađan: 'They offered me 800 euros to falsely accuse him'

The trial of Srđan Mlađan, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for serious crimes including murders, has continued at the County Court in Varaždin. A witness, Renato Filipović, testified that while both were in the high-security unit of Lepoglava Prison, Željko Bijelić, Mlađan’s godfather, offered him 800 euros to falsely accuse Mlađan of inciting kidnappings and murders. Filipović stated that Mlađan was always respectful toward others in prison but that Bijelić attempted to falsely implicate him due to personal reasons. The testimony included footage from the TV show 'Dosje Jarak' detailing Mlađan's crimes. Additionally, Mlađan requested that Andrija Jarak appear as a witness, though this will be decided by the court. This new indictment could lead to an additional 20 years in prison if Mlađan is found guilty.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Srđan Mlađan, including testimonies from multiple witnesses and references to both the prosecution and defense perspectives. There is no overtly biased language, and the framing remains neutral, focusing on the legal,

Why factuality (75): The article reports on new evidence from a trial involving Srđan Mlađan, referencing an interview by Željko Bijelić on the 'Dosje Jarak' program. It aligns with the primary source document which mentions Mlađan being involved in multiple crimes and his ongoing sentence. However, it does not directly

Why objectivity (65): The tone leans towards reporting on allegations against Mlađan, including claims of witness tampering. While it presents facts neutrally, there is a slight emphasis on the seriousness of the charges, which could be seen as slightly biased toward the prosecution’s narrative.

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 609/2/2026
Witness: When I brought the unsigned alimony order to the accounting office, I was told to put the list back where I found it

The article discusses a court case involving former Croatian ministers accused of misuse of public funds through the 'Po babi i stričevima' scandal. Ana Mandac, a former employee at the Ministry of Economy, testified that she was instructed to return an unsigned payment order for support to where she had found it, highlighting procedural irregularities. The prosecution alleges that former Minister Andrej Plenković and others improperly allocated 2.6 million kuna to businesses they were personally interested in, while other defendants like Borislav Milošević and Tomislav Tolušić are accused of pressuring companies for which they had personal interests. Mandac initially faced charges but later admitted guilt and received an 11-month prison sentence replaced by community service. Other individuals, including Velimir Žunec and Katica Mišković, also pleaded guilty. The testimony includes details about the allocation process, oversight, and the involvement of higher-ranking officials.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the legal proceedings against multiple former officials, detailing both the allegations and the outcomes. It does not overtly favor any particular political faction or ideology, focusing instead on the judicial process and the evidence presented. While the

Why factuality (75): The article reports on a witness account from Ana Mandac, who describes an incident involving an unsigned payment order for support and a list of 20 subjects, some of whom had rejected support. It mentions the legal proceedings against former ministers and the involvement of USKOK. While the details

Why objectivity (60): The tone leans towards presenting the witness testimony as part of a larger corruption case, with a focus on the allegations against the ministers. There is some editorializing in the framing of the events, particularly in the way the case is described as an 'afera' (scandal), which may imply a cert

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 609/8/2026
Young man back in court: Watch what he did when the 'Jarak File' video was released

The trial of Srđan Mlađan, a multiple-time convicted murderer, continued on Tuesday morning at the Municipal Court in Varaždin. The indictment against him was confirmed at the beginning of last December and includes several criminal offenses related to attempted murder, illegal deprivation of liberty, and unauthorized access to computer systems, which could result in an additional 20 years in prison. The case was reopened after his uncle and former inmate Željko Bijelić provided a detailed interview during the RTL program 'Dosje Jarak,' confirming that Mlađan had asked him to find people who testified against him and kill them. Portions of Bijelić’s interview were played in court today, with Mlađan sarcastically nodding his head and laughing from the defendant’s bench. Security measures remained extremely high throughout the proceedings, including strong police presence and a special officer seated beside him in court.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the legal proceedings against Srđan Mlađan without overtly favoring any political stance. While the case involves serious criminal charges and potential political implications due to the involvement of a former inmate and the nature of the crimes, the report

Why factuality (70): The article provides information about the ongoing trial of Srđan Mlađan, citing testimony from a fellow inmate, Renato Filipović, who claims he was offered money to falsely implicate Mlađan. This aligns with the primary source document regarding Mlađan's criminal history and current sentencing stat

Why objectivity (60): While the article presents the testimony objectively, it frames the situation in a way that highlights potential wrongdoing by Mlađan, possibly giving more weight to the accusations than the defense's perspective. There is a subtle bias in the selection and emphasis of quotes.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 60Objective 559/7/2026
The trial of Obersnell and three others has begun. They are not guilty.

The trial of former Rijeka mayor Vojko Obersnel and three others has begun at the County Court in Rijeka. They are accused of misusing their positions and causing damage to the city of Rijeka worth €176,000 through improper dealings involving a company owned by former water polo player Samir Barać. The charges include abuse of position and encouraging such abuse, with Obersnel and Srđan Škunca facing accusations of misuse of office, Barać of incitement, and Zlatko Košćina of aiding in the misuse of authority. The indictment alleges that between June 2008 and the end of 2016, Obersnel, along with Barać’s encouragement, agreed to sell city-owned land to Barać’s company, Viktoria, for the construction of a multi-family building, which allegedly harmed the financial interests of the City of Rijeka. All four defendants have denied the allegations, stating they acted within their legal rights and that there was no agreement or conspiracy involved. The City of Rijeka, represented by its authorized agent, seeks compensation for the damages caused.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the trial of individuals accused of corruption and misuse of public office, providing direct quotes from all parties involved and detailing the legal arguments made by both the prosecution and defense. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission.

Why factuality (60): This article discusses the trial of Srđan Mlađan and references the 'Dosje Jarak' program. It includes specific details about the charges and the role of Željko Bijelić. However, it lacks direct alignment with the primary source document and introduces elements like Mlađan's reaction to the video cl

Why objectivity (55): The article has a somewhat sensational tone when describing Mlađan's reaction to the video clip, suggesting a bias toward portraying him as defiant or guilty. The language used can be seen as emotionally charged, leaning toward a more dramatic portrayal.

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