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Croatia hazardous waste scandal sparks political crisis
Croatian political leaders and opposition parties are raising alarms over a hazardous waste scandal involving the Security and Intelligence Agency (SOA) and the management of waste in the Lika region.
Parliamentary representatives, including Dalija Orešković and Nikola Grmoja, have criticized SOA for allegedly possessing information about illegal hazardous waste in Gospić as early as 2022 without notifying the Government or the President. While SOA claims it forwarded information to relevant authorities, the State Attorney's Office (DORH) stated it received no such reports in 2022 or 2023.
The controversy has expanded to include the government's handling of EU environmental funds, which critics claim were diverted to defense and housing instead of waste management infrastructure. Additionally, political tension is rising in Istria, where the IDS and SDP parties are protesting the government's decision to transport and burn waste from Gospić in the Koromačno area, citing a lack of transparency and respect for local communities.
Entities
Andrej Plenković · Andrija Mikulić · Croatia · Dalija Orešković · Drito · European Commission · HDZ · Marija Selak Raspudić · Nikola Grmoja · Security and Intelligence Agency · Sigurnosno-obavještajna agencija · Zoran Milanović
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government decided to burn 650 tons of waste in Koromačno and Našice. www.tportal.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A large portion of EU environmental funds was diverted to defense and affordable housing programs. www.telegram.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] DORH received no reports regarding waste in Lika in 2022 or 2023. www.telegram.hr
- [● 2 SOURCES] SOA failed to inform the Government and President about hazardous waste in Gospić in 2022. ogportal.com · www.index.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The IDS party opposes the plan to transport waste from Gospić to Koromačno. vijesti.hrt.hr