# Kerum family legal probe in Croatia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kerum-family-legal-probe-in-croatia
> Updated: 2026-08-01T03:08:05.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Croatian authorities expanded a criminal investigation into former mayor Željko Kerum and alleged illegal construction linked to the Pršut tavern case. The Split County Court ordered the pre‑trial detention of Kerum’s nephew, Igor Sapunar, for one month, citing a risk that he could influence witnesses. Kerum and former Kaštela official Andrija Polić were released pending further investigation.

The following day, Kerum himself was briefly arrested in Vela Luka by special forces, held overnight and then released. Media coverage emphasized the sensationalist treatment of the incident, but the legal process continued with investigators focusing on possible abuse of position and illegal building permits.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-01: Željko Kerum briefly detained in Vela Luka amid media sensationalism

Željko Kerum was briefly detained in Vela Luka on 30 July 2026, a case used to illustrate Croatia’s shift toward sensationalist media coverage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eljko-kerum-briefly-detained-in-vela-luka-amid-media-sensationalism

### 2026-07-31: Croatian businessman Željko Kerum's nephew Igor Sapunar placed in pre‑trial detention

Igor Sapunar, Željko Kerum’s nephew, was placed in a one‑month investigative detention over a witness‑tampering risk, while Kerum and Andrija Polić remain free pending a corruption probe.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-businessman-eljko-kerums-nephew-igor-sapunar-placed-in-pretrial-detention

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Cite as: Kerum family legal probe in Croatia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kerum-family-legal-probe-in-croatia