The County State Attorney's Office in Split has launched an investigation against a Croatian citizen on suspicion of rape, grievous bodily harm, and threats. The investigating judge rejected the motion for pretrial detention and imposed precautionary measures, prompting the prosecution to file an appeal.
In Split, the County State Attorney's Office has issued an order to launch an investigation against a Croatian citizen, as there is reasonable suspicion that he committed several serious criminal offenses against a minor. The investigation covers suspicions of rape, attempted grievous bodily harm, violent behavior, and threats, and pertains to events that occurred on July 31 and August 5, 2026, in the Split-Dalmatia County area.
According to the prosecution's statement, there is a well-founded suspicion that on July 31, the suspect had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent. The victim was born in 2008, and neither her identity nor that of the suspect has been made public for protection purposes.
The second incident occurred on August 5, when the suspect, allegedly acting on a prior agreement with a currently unidentified male, inflicted bodily injuries on the victim and made threats against her. Details about the injuries, the exact location of the incident, and the circumstances of the attack have not been disclosed.
After the suspect's initial questioning, the prosecution proposed pretrial detention to the investigating judge of the County Court in Split, citing the risk of reoffending and the possibility of influencing witnesses as grounds.
The investigating judge did not accept the proposal. Instead of pretrial detention, he issued a ruling imposing precautionary measures on the suspect, a ban on approaching the victim and a ban on establishing or maintaining contact with the victim and witnesses. According to available information, it is unclear at what distance the suspect must remain from the victim, nor how compliance with these measures will be monitored.
The County State Attorney's Office in Split disagreed with this decision. It has filed an appeal against the investigating judge's ruling, maintaining that grounds for pretrial detention still exist. The competent court will decide on the appeal, and until then, the precautionary measures will remain in effect.
The State Attorney's Office has not yet announced a possible timeline for the court to resolve the appeal. During the investigation, the prosecution may examine witnesses, collect documents, request expert analyses, and conduct other evidentiary actions to decide whether to file an indictment.
The order to conduct an investigation does not mean the suspect has been found guilty. His guilt can only be established through a final court verdict after the proceedings have concluded. The aim of the investigation is to clarify the full sequence of events, the role of the suspect, a Croatian citizen, and to identify the other male mentioned in the prosecution's statement.
