Oroslavje Mayor Viktor Šimunić under USKOK investigation

The Croatian anti-corruption office, USKOK, has launched an investigation into the Mayor of Oroslavje, Viktor Šimunić, and the director of the local Tourist Board, Maja Šijan, regarding the procurement of services for the 2024 Advent celebrations.

Investigators suspect that between August and November 2024, Šimunić used his authority to ensure that two specific companies were awarded contracts totaling more than 46,000 euros without following legal procurement procedures. The suspects are accused of influence peddling, abuse of position, and authority.

The contracts involved the rental of an ice rink by the company Pagodromio, led by Tomislav Čavka, for 27,500 euros, and the rental of festival huts and equipment by Woodmood Zagorje, linked to Roman Rogović, for 18,616 euros. USKOK alleges that the procurement process was manipulated to create the illusion of legality, with additional bids only being sought after the initial agreements were already established.