ZAGREB, 29 August, 2022 - Interior Minister Davor Božinović has said that thanks to actions by state bodies, data were collected and bank accounts were blocked, preventing major damage to the INA company in a case of fraud exceeding one billion kuna, and that corporate procedures that failed to detect the fraud are a different matter.
"I am satisfied that the police, Tax Administration, the Uskok anti-corruption office, and other competent services collected enough evidence in a long-lasting investigation to file charges and identify the perpetrators," Božinović told reporters in Obrežje after meeting with Slovenian counterpart Tatjana Bobnar.
He underscored that thanks to the suspects' assets being frozen, even greater damage to the INA energy company was prevented and that further data collection would additionally strengthen the criminal complaint.
He warned, however, of the business procedures at INA that allowed such a thing to happen.
"These are business procedures that were signed by a company with a specific commitment. We all expect an answer as to how it was possible for no one to notice that such transactions were occurring that should have raised suspicion," said Božinović.
Police prevent clash between two sports fan groups
Commenting on yesterday's incident on a motorway when supporters of the Hajduk football club caused a traffic jam, he said that the police operation conducted was part of the protocol agreed with the Croatian Football Federation, under which the police coordinated all security aspects of high-risk matches.
"The prompt response by police officers prevented what I assume was an arranged clash between two fan groups. A car with a child who was on a ventilator managed eventually to pass through the blockade and questions about the incident should actually be put to those who do such things, who stop traffic on the motorway, and to anyone who has understanding for their dissatisfaction, as well as all those who participate in public political life and were not always clear enough in their condemnation."
Dissatisfaction should not be expressed through violence. The Croatian police will not leave anything to chance, Božinović said, adding that fans were an integral part of football, while the riot on Sunday was caused by individual fans. Nobody's life should depend on someone else's arrogance, he underscored.
