Former Split Mayor Detained Wednesday Evening at Oliver Dragojević Concert; Arrests and Searches Underway Across Two Counties This Morning, Investigation into Illegal Tavern
Police officers from PNUSKOK launched a large-scale operation of arrests and urgent evidentiary actions on Thursday morning in the Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties, at the order of USKOK, the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime announced. The investigation targets several individuals suspected of corruption-related crimes, and searches of residential and business premises are still ongoing.
According to unofficial information from Narod.hr, among those arrested is businessman, former Split mayor, and president of the Croatian Civic Party (HGS) Željko Kerum. He was detained the previous evening, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Vela Luka on Korčula, during a concert dedicated to the late musician Oliver Dragojević, which he attended with his family.
Although USKOK has not yet officially confirmed the identities of the suspects or the specific charges, the same source reports that Kerum's arrest is linked to the investigation into the Pršut tavern in Kaštel Štafilić. The establishment is reportedly built illegally, and the legality of its subsequent legalization is also being questioned. The investigation was launched in May this year, but Kerum dismissed the allegations at the time, claiming everything was done in accordance with the law.
USKOK confirmed to JUGInfo that the actions are being carried out in two Dalmatian counties and involve several individuals. After the questioning of the suspects is completed, a decision on further steps will be made, and the public will be informed in a timely manner. So far, there is no information on any items or documents that may have been found.
This is not Kerum's first encounter with the judiciary. At the end of 2025, he served 15 days in prison for driving a car despite a valid driving ban, Narod.hr recalls.
In a separate case, USKOK recently released details of an investigation in Buje where the mayor is suspected of rigging contracts worth €3.86 million, but that operation is not directly linked to today's arrests.
