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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 17 sources · 13 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Kerum corruption investigations in Croatia

Entities: Zenica Prison · Biro za društvena istraživanja (BIRODI) · Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) – Office for Democr. · Elfeta Veseli · Damir Habijan

Overview

In mid‑July 2026, former Split mayor Željko Kerum complained that a state‑ordered dismantling of a yacht marina he had built in Rogoznica was part of a politically motivated campaign. He said the probe, triggered by a Telegram report, involved multiple inspectors, the State Attorney’s Office and the anti‑corruption bureau, and he framed the scrutiny as persecution.

Two weeks later, Kerum was taken to the USKOK anti‑corruption headquarters on Korčula for questioning and was seized on suspicion of corruption linked to the illegal construction of the Pršut tavern in Kaštel Štafilić. His nephew, a city official and a businessman were detained alongside him. The Justice minister reiterated that no one is untouchable and that the institutions would proceed with their duties. The prosecutor’s office was to decide whether to request investigative detention.

Together, the snapshots show an escalating pattern of legal actions against Kerum, moving from complaints about a marina demolition to an arrest concerning an alleged unlawful tavern project.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] The questioning concerns alleged illegal construction of the Pršut tavern in Kaštel Štafilić. (Kerum was detained on suspicion of corruption linked to the illegal building of the Pršut tavern in Kaštel Štafilić.)
[● 3 SOURCES] BIRODI says provladini media label the organization and publish false information because the government does not want free and fair elections. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] Identical or very similar content appeared in multiple provladini media outlets, portraying BIRODI inaccurately. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] BIRODI’s executive director is described as known for “extremely anti‑Serbian” views without factual basis. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] Since 2012, BIRODI’s main donors have been the National Endowment for Democracy, the European Endowment for Democracy and the Open Society Foundation. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] In 2012, pro‑SNS media attended BIRODI press conferences, reported its monitoring and cited its findings, and the methodology was not disputed then. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] Recent monitoring findings point to problems with media and election integrity, a view also highlighted by ODIHR. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] BIRODI urges the Serbian Ministry of Information and the OSCE/ODIHR to investigate the case to protect media pluralism and election observers. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] Labeling and discrediting election observers threatens an environment where observers can work freely and inform the public. (BIRODI press release)
[● 3 SOURCES] Željko Kerum was taken for questioning by USKOK in Vela Luka on Korčula. (Kerum was taken to USKOK headquarters in Vela Luka on Korčula for questioning.)
[● 3 SOURCES] Kerum’s nephew Igor Sapunar and city official Andrija Polić were also detained. (Kerum’s nephew Igor Sapunar and a city official Andrija Polić were detained alongside him.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Kerum previously served 15 days in prison for breaching a driving ban. (Kerum served a short prison term of 15 days after driving despite a ban.)

Timeline

1 day ago

[CRIME] 15 sources
Željko Kerum arrested in Croatia over illegal tavern construction
Željko Kerum was questioned by USKOK over illegal construction of the Pršut tavern; his nephew and a city official were also detained, and the minister warned that no one is untouchable.
14 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Former Split Mayor Željko Kerum Accuses State of Political Persecution Over Rogoznica Yacht Marina Removal
Former Split mayor Željko Kerum says state inspections and a Telegram report led to a court order to remove his Rogoznica yacht marina, calling the action political persecution.

Sources

072info.com · danas.rs · dnevno.hr · glas-slavonije.hr · index.hr · kurir.rs · mondo.rs · n1info.hr · nin.co.rs · nova.rs · novilist.hr · politika.rs · telegram.hr · valterportal.ba · vecernji.hr · vijesti.ba · wmagazin.com