Political analyst Ankica Mamić, in an exclusive interview with Dnevno.hr, sharply criticized the authorities' response to the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Lika. She demanded resignations across the entire chain of command and the formation of a crisis team for remediation.
Political analyst Ankica Mamić gave an exclusive comment to Dnevno.hr regarding the ecological disaster in Lika, which she unhesitatingly called "an act of high treason" and "the most terrifying event since the Homeland War." Her reaction came after the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) published the results of an environmental assessment at a location in Gospić, at Bilajska Street 50, which confirmed the presence of elevated concentrations of harmful substances, including the so-called 'forever chemicals' (PFAS compounds).
Mamić does not spare criticism for the ruling authorities, believing they have failed both in their actions and communication. She emphasizes that the problem has been known for a long time, recalling that Most party member Zvonimir Troskot spoke about it during his campaign. "It took too long for this to reach this stage. This has been known for a long time," Mamić stated for Dnevno.hr.
The analyst particularly stressed the severity of the situation by comparing it to other scandals. "This is not about the 180,000 euros for which, I believe, the former chief state inspector is suspected; this is about high treason because the water here has been poisoned," Mamić said, alluding to former chief state inspector Andrija Mikulić. She added that Croatia had long been proud of the purity of its water, considered the main currency of the 21st century, and now that image has been tarnished.
She also directed sharp criticism at the Minister of Environment and Green Transition, Marija Vučković. "The other day, Minister Vučković stated that they cannot find anyone to handle this. Oh, really? What kind of response is that? If I or you, who deal with other things, said that, but for a minister to make such a statement is, terrifying," Mamić commented.
Mamić believes that the only correct approach is to treat the remediation as the largest post-war project, led by a special crisis manager. She also criticized Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's statement in Sinj about conducting tenders. "Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in Sinj that tenders must be conducted and such things; we all know how that goes. This needs to be managed as the largest post-war project," she said.
She also asserted that this situation is more complex than the Homeland War because it is unclear who the enemy is. "In the Homeland War, we had an external enemy. We knew who the 'good guy' was and who the 'bad guy' was. Here, it is still very murky," she explained.
When asked who should bear responsibility, Mamić was clear: "In my opinion, everyone in the chain of command should resign, from the relevant ministry to local self-government units." Although the former chief state inspector has already stepped down, she believes he had operatives who covered up and concealed the entire case.
The analyst expressed confidence that there are capable people in Croatia who would view leading such a project as an act of patriotism. "At the helm must be a crisis manager who is dedicated solely to this, to speed up the process of finding those responsible, obtaining results, and timely informing the public," Mamić said.
She also warned of the danger of further destruction of evidence. "Because while you and I are talking, further cover-ups are certainly taking place. There are many people in that chain. The chain included truck drivers, those who dug the holes, and utility companies," she said, adding that hundreds of those involved will try to downplay their roles.
Recall that USKOK suspects the married couple Josip and Monika Šincek and their co-defendants of serious environmental crimes. They are accused of organizing the illegal disposal of approximately 35,000 tons of hazardous waste at locations near Varaždin, Gospić, and Benkovac, earning around four million euros.
