Brkić Falls Ill in Mostar, Airlifted to Zagreb by Helicopter
The former Vice President of Parliament and HDZ underwent two surgeries in a short period, but according to party sources, his life is not in danger.
The former Vice President of Parliament and HDZ underwent two surgeries in a short period, but according to party sources, his life is not in danger.
Milijan Brkić, former Vice President of the Croatian Parliament and HDZ, suddenly fell ill and was airlifted from Mostar to Zagreb by a helicopter from the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. The helicopter landed at Zrinjski Stadium in Mostar at around 2:30 PM on Wednesday, and touched down in Zagreb in the afternoon, near Dubrava Clinical Hospital.
A high-ranking HDZ official told 24sata journalist Luka Safundžić that the situation was unexpected for the party. "This caught us all by surprise. He fell ill and was taken to Mostar, where they apparently couldn't help him much, so the Ministry's helicopter went to pick him up," he said.
The Mostar portal Bljesak earlier reported that Brkić had already undergone surgery in Mostar, after which a helicopter was dispatched from Dubrovnik to retrieve him. The HDZ source now confirms that the former official underwent two surgical procedures in a short span of time.
"He had two surgeries in a short period, and according to our latest information, his life is not in danger," said the HDZ source.
No further details about the reasons for the surgeries or his current health condition have been released.
In addition to his roles in Parliament and HDZ, Brkić also served as commander of the Alfa Special Police Unit. He withdrew from active politics in 2020, and a year later founded the company Alfa Strategy.
On the same day, August 19, 2026, HDZ president Andrej Plenković held a meeting with the leadership of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation ahead of the European Championships in men's and women's artistic gymnastics in Zagreb. He emphasized that Croatia is hosting four European championships, in both senior and junior categories for both genders.
Plenković noted that Croatian gymnasts have won two Olympic silver medals, five world medals, and ten senior European medals, along with a total of 187 medals at World Cup events. "The Croatian government continues to strongly support Croatian sports and the organization of major international sporting events," he stated.
The day before, on August 18, 2026, he congratulated the 36th anniversary of the founding of HDZ BiH. In a message to the party's president, Dragan Čović, he highlighted the strong and long-standing partnership between the two sister parties, based on responsibility towards the Croatian people.
