SUMEZ calls for investigation into patient death at Zagreb psychiatric clinic

The Croatian Alliance of Mental Health Associations (SUMEZ) has called for a systemic investigation following the death of 32-year-old patient Kristijan Josip Periš at the Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic in Zagreb. The organization stated that the tragedy reveals deep systemic failures and argued that responsibility should extend beyond the four individuals currently under investigation.

According to police reports released by media, surveillance footage allegedly shows physical force being applied to the patient while he was restrained to a bed, even after he ceased resisting. SUMEZ raised questions regarding who authorized the restraint, who supervised it, and the extent of management's knowledge regarding ward conditions.

The association also highlighted staffing shortages, noting that if only two staff members are responsible for 30 patients on an acute ward, safety protocols for restraint cannot be met. SUMEZ reminded authorities that Croatian law and European human rights standards permit the use of force only in exceptional circumstances to prevent immediate danger to life or health.