Croatian environmental case rescued by director suspected by NPU of waste burial
In Croatia, a major environmental and corruption scandal involving illegal waste dumping at Gospić has escalated into a political crisis. The site, which illegally disposed of 37,000 tons of hazardous and mixed waste, has drawn criticism from opposition groups and civil initiatives accusing the government of inaction. The scandal involves Kostak, Slovenia’s largest municipal enterprise, which operates a subsidiary in Croatia under exclusive control by Kostak from Krška. The head of this Croatian subsidiary, Miljenko Muha, a former leader of Kostak in Slovenia, is now the first person in Slovenia suspected of criminal acts related to environmental harm. National Prosecutors Office (NPU) investigations allege that Muha led a criminal organization responsible for illegal waste disposal in Slovenia. Additionally, waste from Kemis, a Croatian branch of the company, is also present at the site. Despite initial denials, Kostak later admitted to having waste at the site but claimed ignorance of who had deposited it. Investigations revealed that the report of illegal waste disposal was dismissed by local police, while environmental inspectors only observed the area from their vehicles. It's
The Croatian government has selected a subsidiary of Slovenia's Kostak company to address hazardous waste buried in Gospić, a town in western Croatia. The chosen firm, Tabak Group from Zaprešić, will handle approximately 650 tons of dangerous waste stored in large bags. This decision comes after the discovery of nearly 37,000 tons of illegally dumped waste in the area, sparking public concern and protests. The involvement of Kostak, which has faced scrutiny over its waste management practices, has drawn criticism from local activists who organized a boycott of a meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met with representatives of local institutions and communities in Gospić to outline specific steps for the cleanup of the illegally dumped waste. He stated that he was summoned today because the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund had finalized decisions regarding the selection of contractors for covering buried waste and transporting waste in bags. According to official documents published today, Tabak Group from Zaprešić has been chosen to manage the removal and proper handling of around 650 tons of hazardous waste in large bags. The contract value is 357,500 euros before VAT. For the coverage of buried waste, the Croatian daily 24sata reported that the company Kostak-Graditeljstvo Tehnologija Sirovine from Zagreb was selected. The estimated value of this work is 400,000 euros before VAT, while Kostak submitted a bid of 268,740 euros. This company is described as a Croatian branch of Slovenia’s Kostak from Krško. Slovenian inspectors have previously found that Kostak’s Waste Management Center in Spodnji Stari Grad had illegally buried communal waste. The inspection confirmed at least 2,900 cubic meters of illegally buried waste, and investigators suspect that employees of this company facilitated approximately 8.7 million euros in illegal financial gain. Five individuals, including former Kostak board chairman Miljenko Muha, who currently leads the Croatian branch of the company, are suspected of environmental crimes. According to Plenković, contracts with the selected companies for the waste cleanup will be signed within ten days, and the site should be covered as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days. “Everything should be covered by October 12th or 13th, maybe even earlier, depending on the efficiency of the contractors,” he emphasized. Regarding concerns that the director of the company selected for part of the cleanup is under investigation in Slovenia for illegal waste disposal, Plenković noted that the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund must verify the bid and the company. He added that the fund selects contractors capable of completing the work as quickly as possible, and the chosen company clearly knows how to cover the waste. Approximately 4,500 tons of waste on the surface are still being analyzed for bids, but the main challenge, according to Plenković, lies in the 32,000 to 33,000 tons of buried waste. The process for their removal is expected to be prepared within 24 days. Plenković acknowledged the concerns of residents in Gospić and the entire Lišće-Senj municipality. However, the most critical issue discussed today, he said, relates to the suitability of water from the public water supply system. He reiterated that the water is “completely suitable.” Representatives of the civic initiative Gospić je naš dom boycotted the meeting with Plenković. They are planning a major protest in Zagreb on Saturday. Plenković’s visit a few days before the protest was viewed as an attempt to limit political damage rather than resolve the issue. They remain open to discussions after the protest. Illegally dumped waste from Slovenia, Italy, and Germany was discovered at multiple locations across Croatia last year. Despite these discoveries, the waste has yet to be removed. Analysis by Zagreb’s Faculty of Geotechnics is ongoing.
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In Croatia, a major environmental and corruption scandal involving illegal waste dumping at Gospić has escalated into a political crisis. The site, which illegally disposed of 37,000 tons of hazardous and mixed waste, has drawn criticism from opposition groups and civil initiatives accusing the government of inaction. The scandal involves Kostak, Slovenia’s largest municipal enterprise, which operates a subsidiary in Croatia under exclusive control by Kostak from Krška. The head of this Croatian subsidiary, Miljenko Muha, a former leader of Kostak in Slovenia, is now the first person in Slovenia suspected of criminal acts related to environmental harm. National Prosecutors Office (NPU) investigations allege that Muha led a criminal organization responsible for illegal waste disposal in Slovenia. Additionally, waste from Kemis, a Croatian branch of the company, is also present at the site. Despite initial denials, Kostak later admitted to having waste at the site but claimed ignorance of who had deposited it. Investigations revealed that the report of illegal waste disposal was dismissed by local police, while environmental inspectors only observed the area from their vehicles. It's
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the controversy surrounding the illegal waste disposal and its implications for both environmental law and corporate governance. While it highlights the involvement of high-profile figures like former Kostak leadership and current political leaders such as
Why factuality (85): The article reports on an ongoing environmental and corruption scandal in Croatia involving illegal waste disposal in Gospić. It mentions the involvement of Kostak, a major Slovenian municipal company, and references the National Prosecution Office (NPU) investigation into illegal waste dumping. The
Why objectivity (70): The article presents the situation as a political crisis and mentions protests and public pressure on the government. While it provides factual information, it frames the issue in a way that emphasizes the political implications, potentially giving more weight to the controversy than to the technica
The article reports on environmental efforts in Gospić, Croatia, where Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced specific steps to address the illegal dumping of approximately 37,000 tons of hazardous waste. The cleanup plan involves collaboration between Croatian and Slovenian entities, including a subsidiary of the Slovenian company Kostak, which has been accused of illegally disposing of municipal waste. The Croatian Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund selected two companies, Tabak Group from Zaprešić and Kostak-Graditeljstvo Tehnologija Sirovine from Zagreb, for the remediation work. While Tabak Group was chosen for removing around 650 tons of non-hazardous waste, Kostak was selected for covering the buried waste, despite allegations that its Slovenian branch had engaged in illegal waste disposal. The article highlights concerns over potential corruption and environmental harm linked to Kostak, with five individuals under investigation, including former management. The cleanup is expected to be completed within 30 days, though legal deadlines extend to six months.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the environmental cleanup initiative and the involvement of both Croatian and Slovenian entities. It does not overtly favor any political side but highlights the controversy surrounding Kostak’s past actions and current involvement. The tone remains客观 (
Why factuality (80): This article confirms the selection of Tabak Grupa for the removal of 650 tons of waste and mentions the cost of €357,500 without VAT. It also references the environmental group's boycott and the legal findings against Kostak regarding illegal waste disposal. The information aligns closely with the
Why objectivity (68): While the article provides factual information, it has a slight bias by emphasizing the role of Kostak in illegal waste disposal and the controversy surrounding the cleanup efforts. The language suggests concern over the situation, though it doesn't overtly take a political stance.
The article discusses the selection of the Croatian subsidiary of the Slovenian company Kostak, known as Tabak Grupa from Zaprešić, to handle the removal and proper disposal of approximately 650 tons of hazardous waste stored in large bags in Gospić. The process involves the Croatian Environment Protection Fund, which has chosen contractors for both covering buried waste and transporting waste in bags. The selected contractor for the buried waste was Kostak-Graditeljstvo Tehnologija Sirovine from Zagreb, though this company is linked to the Slovenian parent firm Kostak, which has been under investigation for illegally burying municipal waste at its facility in Spodnji Stari Grad. Slovenian inspectors confirmed at least 2,900 cubic meters of illegally buried waste, and investigators suspect employees of the company enabled around €8.7 million in illegal financial gain. Five individuals, including former Kostak board chairman Miljenko Muha, who now leads the Croatian branch, are suspected of environmental violations. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that contracts with the selected companies would be signed within ten days, and the cleanup is expected to be completed within 30.
Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights concerns over environmental violations by a private company, mentions legal investigations, and criticizes the involvement of a company under scrutiny in a public cleanup project. It frames the situation as a potential conflict of interest and emphasizes the need for oversight
Why factuality (75): The article reports on the selection of Tabak Grupa from Zaprešić as the contractor for removing approximately 650 tons of hazardous waste from large bins, aligning with the cross-source consensus. It mentions Premier Plenković's involvement and the environmental group 'Gospić je naš dom' boycotting
Why objectivity (65): The tone leans slightly towards highlighting the controversy around Kostak's past illegal dumping activities, though it remains generally neutral. The article presents both sides of the issue but gives more emphasis to the environmental concerns and legal actions taken.
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