# Defamation lawsuits involving Croatian public figures > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/defamation-lawsuits-involving-croatian-public-figures > Updated: 2026-09-14T12:04:29.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Legal disputes involving defamation claims have emerged in Croatia involving public figures and political actors. In Split, Vice Mihanović, director of the Split Port Authority, has resumed a private defamation lawsuit against former Mayor Ivica Puljak. The case concerns Puljak’s 2021 campaign allegations of plagiarism regarding Mihanović’s doctoral dissertation. Mihanović testified that the issues were merely “lapsus calami” or technical errors, noting his degree remains intact. Separately, Petar Pripuz, owner of the CIOS Group, has initiated legal proceedings against Member of Parliament Miro Bulj for defamation. The suit follows Bulj’s characterization of waste separation processes as “Pripuz’s mafia and similar.” After an initial rejection due to parliamentary immunity, Pripuz’s legal team has requested that Parliament lift Bulj’s immunity to allow criminal proceedings to proceed. Bulj has publicly challenged the request, stating he does not fear lawsuits or powerful figures. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Miro Bulj faces defamation lawsuit from CIOS Group owner Petar Pripuz CIOS Group owner Petar Pripuz is suing MP Miro Bulj for defamation regarding waste management. Bulj has requested that the Croatian Parliament strip his immunity to face the legal proceedings. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/miro-bulj-faces-defamation-lawsuit-from-cios-group-owner-petar-pripuz ### 2026-08-29: Vice Mihanović sues Ivica Puljak over plagiarism allegations Vice Mihanović has resumed a defamation lawsuit against former Split Mayor Ivica Puljak over 2021 allegations of plagiarism regarding Mihanović’s doctoral dissertation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vice-mihanovi-sues-ivica-puljak-over-plagiarism-allegations --- Cite as: Defamation lawsuits involving Croatian public figures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/defamation-lawsuits-involving-croatian-public-figures