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Who's who in the hazardous waste business
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter6 days ago

Who's who in the hazardous waste business

The Croatian parliamentary committee for environmental protection and nature is set to hold an extraordinary session in Gospić regarding the illegal waste disposal case involving the couple Josip and Monika Šincek. This investigation is considered one of the largest ecological crime cases in Croatia. Investigators suspect that for years, a well-organized and profitable system was in place where waste was avoided being properly processed to save costs. Plastic, medical, and other types of waste came from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and other countries, with documentation allegedly used to conceal their true type and final destination. Thousands of tons of waste were reportedly dumped at multiple locations across Croatia, particularly in Gospić and abandoned quarries near Benkovc, as well as in Varazdin and the Senj area. The estimated cost of cleaning up these illegal dumpsites is around 100 million euros. Josip Šincek is accused of organizing the entire operation, including procurement, import, transportation, and illegal dumping of waste. His wife, Monika Šincek, is suspected of playing a central role in the organization of transports and preparing false documentation related to the

Authorities investigating an illegal waste disposal case in Gospić have revealed that suspects were aware of an upcoming inspection and had taken steps to conceal large quantities of waste at the former industrial complex PPK Velebit. According to reports from investigative sources, the accused knew the inspection was scheduled within two weeks and attempted to hide the waste under layers of soil and gravel. The investigation, led by the Croatian Intelligence Service (USKOK), has uncovered evidence suggesting that workers began moving waste intensively in early April 2024, just before the inspection. The case involves illegal disposal of waste from Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, with suspicions pointing toward the Šincek family as organizers. Investigators claim that under orders from Josip Šincek, waste was moved into deeper pits within the complex and subsequently covered with soil and gravel. These operations reportedly involved truck drivers who played a direct role in the process. One driver described the situation during a phone call, stating he had been driving plastic waste around the site for three days. He claimed the waste included shredded plastic, which other workers later spread and concealed beneath soil and grass. The driver estimated the amount of plastic on-site to be approximately 100,000 tons, describing it as impossible to move within two weeks. When asked where the waste was being transported, he responded with a vague “better not ask,” adding that the waste was distributed and buried with earth and sand. One of the drivers reportedly remarked that if the inspection came, they would “burn their eyebrows”, a colloquial expression indicating readiness to face severe consequences. The investigation also mentions an incident at the border crossing near Pasjak, where a truck carrying hazardous waste from Italy was intercepted. Investigators suspect that following this event, Josip Šincek organized additional efforts to cover up waste already stored in Gospić. It is alleged that a larger pit was dug to relocate previously imported waste from Italy, which was then buried with earth and gravel. The case extends beyond Gospić, involving at least three more locations in Varaždin, Benkovačko Selo, and Senj. The investigation suggests a well-organized and profitable system of illegal waste management, involving numerous companies and individuals from Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. At the center of the operation is the Varazdin-based company Tipos Resurs, which is suspected of being directed by Josip Šincek, while Monika Šincek is believed to have participated in organizing the business and handling waste-related activities. Documentation supporting the investigation shows that between May 2022 and April 2024, 12,338 tons of plastic waste arrived in Gospić from Italy in 576 shipments. An additional 1,480 tons of waste came from Slovenia in 54 shipments, with some waste also arriving from Germany and local Croatian companies. This indicates a coordinated effort spanning multiple regions and countries. In March of this year, USKOK expanded its investigation against the Šincek couple and their associates, opening a new branch of the inquiry against three additional Croatian citizens suspected of committing serious environmental offenses. This part of the investigation focuses on the illegal dumping of at least 2,640 tons of waste in the area of Senj. Among the individuals mentioned in media reports is Franciska Dodić, wife of goldsmith Paško Dodić, who runs a company called Izoxeco with Monika Šincek. In one of the earlier expansions of the investigation, Jerko Kostelac, a county council advisor in the Ličko-Senjska County, was also implicated. He is suspected of having issued two illegal permits for waste management on the Gospić site at the urging of the Šinceks.

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Index.hr logoIndex.hrIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 906 days ago
Who's who in the hazardous waste business

The Croatian parliamentary committee for environmental protection and nature is set to hold an extraordinary session in Gospić regarding the illegal waste disposal case involving the couple Josip and Monika Šincek. This investigation is considered one of the largest ecological crime cases in Croatia. Investigators suspect that for years, a well-organized and profitable system was in place where waste was avoided being properly processed to save costs. Plastic, medical, and other types of waste came from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and other countries, with documentation allegedly used to conceal their true type and final destination. Thousands of tons of waste were reportedly dumped at multiple locations across Croatia, particularly in Gospić and abandoned quarries near Benkovc, as well as in Varazdin and the Senj area. The estimated cost of cleaning up these illegal dumpsites is around 100 million euros. Josip Šincek is accused of organizing the entire operation, including procurement, import, transportation, and illegal dumping of waste. His wife, Monika Šincek, is suspected of playing a central role in the organization of transports and preparing false documentation related to the

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about an ongoing legal investigation into environmental crimes without overtly favoring any side. It reports on the roles of individuals involved in the case based on accusations by investigators, without taking a stance or using biased language.

Why factuality (95): The article accurately summarizes the primary source document, mentioning the involvement of Josip and Monika Šincek, the illegal waste disposal operations, locations like Gospić, Varaždin, and Senj, and the estimated volume of waste. It aligns closely with the details from the original report, incl

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a largely neutral tone, presenting facts without overt bias or emotional language. However, it does refer to the case as 'one of the largest environmental crime investigations in Croatia,' which slightly frames the situation as more extreme than the primary source explicitly st

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 9010 days ago
Leaked messages from the Gospić affair: The Šinceki knew that an inspection was coming, a total panic arose at the landfill

An investigation by the Croatian Intelligence Service (USKOK) has uncovered evidence suggesting that individuals linked to the Šincek family were aware of an upcoming inspection and attempted to conceal large amounts of illegally disposed waste at the former industrial complex PPK Velebit in Gospić. According to reports from journalist Ilko Ćimić of Index.hr, investigators claim workers began moving waste intensively just before the inspection was announced. The waste, which includes plastic from Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, is suspected to have been organized by the Šincek family. Evidence includes phone calls from truck drivers describing the movement of waste, including 100,000 tons of plastic being moved in circles and covered with soil and grass. One driver remarked that if inspectors arrived, they would 'bite their tongues', suggesting they expected no consequences. The operation reportedly involved multiple locations across Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, with the Varazdin-based company Tipos Resurs at the center. Investigators believe the system was well-organized and profitable, involving numerous companies and individuals.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of an ongoing criminal investigation into illegal waste disposal, focusing on the actions of individuals and organizations rather than taking a partisan stance. While the issue of illegal waste management is politically sensitive due to environmental concerns,

Why factuality (95): The article accurately summarizes the primary source document, including details such as the preparation by suspects ahead of an inspection, the movement of waste, and the involvement of the Šincek family. It also mentions the locations involved and the types of waste found. The only minor deviation

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a largely neutral tone, presenting the findings of the investigation without overt bias. However, phrases like 'totalna panika' and the inclusion of quotes from the drivers add some emotional weight, slightly reducing the overall neutrality.

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