The State Prosecution Office has launched an investigation into corruption at the Zabok hospital

N1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterNov 3

The State Anti-Corruption Agency (USKOK) has opened a criminal investigation against eight individuals and one company regarding alleged corruption within the General Hospital in Zabok and the Hospital for Croatian War Veterans. The lead suspect, Vladimir Ovcarec, head of the technical services department, is accused of accepting bribes from convicted criminals between autumn 2022 and September this year in exchange for falsifying records of their community service hours. Additionally, Ovcarec is suspected of manipulating public procurement processes by rigging bids for demolition and parking lot construction projects, ensuring contracts were awarded to a specific firm while creating a false appearance of competition through inflated bids from affiliated companies. The investigation also alleges that hospital employees used work time to perform renovations on Ovcarec’s private residence, with costs estimated at 19,900 euros to bypass mandatory public tender requirements.

Bias read (Center): The report relies exclusively on official USKOK allegations and uses neutral legal terminology without editorial commentary or subjective adjectives.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterNov 3

Croatia's State Anti-Corruption Agency (USKOK) has completed interrogations of eight individuals and one company suspected of corruption involving the General Hospital in Zabok and the Hospital of Croatian Veterans. The investigation centers on Vladimir Ovčarić, head of technical services, who allegedly accepted bribes from 2022 to 2024 to falsify work hours for convicts performing community service in lieu of fines. Suspects face charges including bribery, abuse of office, illegal favoritism, and document forgery. Additionally, Ovčarić is accused of colluding with a construction firm to rig public procurement bids for demolition and parking lot projects by manipulating waste disposal requirements and bid evaluations. All suspects have been questioned, with some exercising their right to silence while others admitted guilt.

Bias read (Center): The report relies exclusively on official USKOK statements regarding criminal proceedings, using neutral legal terminology without editorial commentary or partisan framing.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterNov 2

Croatia's State Anti-Corruption Agency (USKOK) has launched an investigation into suspected corruption and abuse within the General Hospital in Zabok. Eight individuals have been implicated in the probe, including the head of the hospital’s technical services department, who faces charges of accepting bribes and using staff for private work. Six suspects were questioned during the day, and two of them have reportedly admitted guilt according to available information. The agency continues to gather evidence as part of this new anti-corruption action targeting misconduct in the healthcare sector.

Bias read (Center): The report relies exclusively on neutral legal terminology and factual updates regarding the investigation status without employing loaded adjectives or taking a stance on the underlying systemic issues.