The Turudić Case Shakes Croatian Judiciary
After the Constitutional Court found a violation of the Constitution in his appointment process, Ivan Turudić resigned as Chief State Attorney and returns to his judicial post.
After the Constitutional Court found a violation of the Constitution in his appointment process, Ivan Turudić resigned as Chief State Attorney and returns to his judicial post.
Ivan Turudić, whose appointment as Chief State Attorney in April 2024 sparked months of political controversy and protests, resigned from the position in May 2025. The decision came after the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia ruled that constitutional provisions had been violated during his appointment process.
Before taking the helm of the State Attorney's Office, Turudić served as President of the Zagreb County Court. Throughout his career, he built a reputation as a judge handling complex criminal cases, including those related to organized crime.
The appointment itself was shadowed from the start by doubts about impartiality. The public was unsettled by reports of his communication with convicted businessman Josip Rimac, which the opposition used as a key argument in demanding his removal. Additional criticism was sparked by his public statements on sensitive political topics, which, according to critics, undermined the perception of professional neutrality essential for the role.
Political tensions culminated with the revelation that Turudić may have engaged in inappropriate communication with politicians, further eroding trust in the independence of the judicial system.
Following his resignation, Turudić announced his return to the position of judge at the Zagreb County Court, from which he had departed for the top role in the State Attorney's Office. However, his return will not go unscrutinized, as there is a possibility of disciplinary proceedings being initiated.
The Turudić case has raised deep questions about the process of appointing key judicial officials in Croatia, the transparency of such procedures, and the mechanisms for protecting the judiciary from political influence.
