Rijeka court hears trial over alleged land sale irregularities

A trial is underway at the Rijeka Regional Court regarding the alleged irregular sale of municipal land in the Cosala district of Rijeka. The case, known as the ‘Viktoria affair’, involves accusations of abuse of office and favoritism concerning a 1,500-square-meter lot in the Lukovići area.

Prosecutors from USKOK, the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime, allege that the sale conditions unfairly benefited the company owned by former water polo player Samir Barać. The prosecution claims the company received an illicit advantage of at least 176,000 euros, resulting in a corresponding loss for the city.

Defendants include former mayor Vojko Obersnel, Samir Barać, former head of the Municipal Affairs Department Srđan Škunca, and expert witness Zlatko Košćina. During the hearing, entrepreneur Gordan Mesaroš testified about the 2008 auction, stating he withdrew from the bidding after being advised that Barać’s company was the intended buyer.