Former Split mayor arrested on Korčula in USKOK operation over controversial legalization of tavern Pršut; alongside him, official Andrija Polić and former Split parking director Ivan Sapunar also fell.
Former Split mayor Željko Kerum was arrested on the night of July 29-30, 2026, in Vela Luka on the island of Korčula while attending a concert in honor of Oliver Dragojević with his family. According to Teleskop.hr, the arrest came in a PNUSKOK operation on suspicion of corruption-related criminal offenses tied to illegal construction and the controversial legalization of his restaurant Pršut in Kaštel Štafilić.
Just two weeks before the arrest, Kerum posted a message on his Facebook profile that today seems like a warning. Teleskop.hr reports that in a post from around July 16, 2026, he listed a series of institutions investigating him, adding: "I expect even worse, starting with the State Inspectorate, construction and tourism inspectorates, the Port Authority, customs, Kaštela urban planning, and finally the State Attorney's Office (DORH), i.e., USKOK." At the same time, Dnevno.hr writes that he also issued a harsh message: "Let them eat s***."
The question remains whether Kerum had information about the impending operation or simply assessed the situation well, as inspectorates had been checking him for months. Teleskop.hr notes that there is no evidence of a tip-off so far, but the post remains telling.
In addition to Kerum, Andrija Polić, a senior associate for spatial planning and construction in the City of Kaštela, and Ivan Sapunar, former director of the Split company Split parking, were also arrested. Telegram.hr details Polić's role in legalizing Kerum's illegal structures.
According to Telegram, the State Inspectorate determined back in 2019 that Kerum was building without a permit outside the construction zone and ordered demolition. However, Kerum continued expanding the complex, adding a pool, engine room, chapel, and other structures on the plot. Four years after the inspection finding, in January 2023, Polić issued a certificate of occupancy claiming that the newly built and expanded structures were visible in aerial photos from 2011, even though they did not exist at the time.
Meanwhile, Andrija Polić was building a political career. In November 2020, he became president of the Split Sports Association, a position he held at the time of his arrest. Telegram.hr reports that he was also a candidate for head of the Department for Sports and Youth Policies of the City of Split, but withdrew after Telegram published a series on the controversial legalization. Additionally, the Spinut branch of the HDZ published his party activities.
Split Mayor Tomislav Šuta briefly commented on the arrest. As reported by Dalmacija Danas and Index.hr, he stated: "As is known, Mr. Željko Kerum is not a member of the Split City Council nor does he participate in its work. With Council President Igor Stanišić, we have quality cooperation and expect continued support from councilors of the Croatian Civic Party in implementing projects important for Split's development and the interests of its citizens. As for the specific case, this is a procedure led by the competent institutions. Mr. Kerum will present his side of the story within the legally prescribed procedure, and it is not for me to comment on ongoing cases or act as his representative."
The operation continues, with PNUSKOK conducting urgent evidentiary actions in the Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties. Alongside Kerum, USKOK also charges the official who enabled him to remain on the land, raising questions about local administration accountability and political connections that protected the illegally built restaurant for years.
