Judge Quickly Examines Witnesses: Kerum's Nephew Released from Custody
Igor Sapunar spent only a few days in the investigative prison at Bilice. After the deputy director of USKOK examined all witnesses in a single day, the court lifted the measure.
Igor Sapunar spent only a few days in the investigative prison at Bilice. After the deputy director of USKOK examined all witnesses in a single day, the court lifted the measure.
Igor Sapunar, the nephew of entrepreneur and former Split mayor Željko Kerum, was released from investigative custody on Monday, August 3, 2026. The decision was made by the investigating judge of the County Court in Split after all witnesses in the investigation known as the "Konoba Pršut" affair were swiftly examined.
The news was confirmed by his attorney, Damir Primorac. "I can confirm that today, by a ruling of the investigating judge of the County Court in Split, the investigative detention of my client, which was imposed on Friday due to the risk of influencing witnesses, has been lifted," Primorac stated.
Sapunar's investigative detention was ordered on Friday, July 31, 2026, precisely due to concerns that he might influence four witnesses. However, USKOK's deputy director, Natalija Petković, examined all four witnesses as early as Monday. Immediately after, she proposed to the investigating judge that the detention be lifted, which the court accepted.
Attorney Primorac publicly praised the prosecution's work. "I take this opportunity to thank colleague Petković for her exceptionally prompt and professional handling. In just one day, she examined all four witnesses, thereby eliminating the reasons for which the detention was ordered and fulfilling the conditions for its revocation," he said.
Sapunar is the third suspect in the affair brought to light by investigative articles from Telegram journalist Denis Mahmutović. Last week, USKOK arrested him, Kerum, and former city official Andrija Polić. Kerum was taken into custody from Vela Luka, where he was attending a concert with his family.
According to USKOK's suspicions, Polić, as a former senior associate for spatial planning and construction in the City of Kaštela, illegally favored Kerum and Sapunar from October 2017 to January 2023. At their request, he allegedly legalized five structures within the family farm and the "Pršut" tavern in the Kaštela area. These include three commercial buildings and two auxiliary structures, suspected to have been built without permits, covering an area of about two thousand square meters.
Sapunar, as stated, being authorized to represent companies owned by Kerum, submitted requests for the legalization of the disputed structures. Unlike Sapunar, no investigative detention was sought for Kerum and Polić after their questioning.
Following the opening of the investigation, Kerum stepped down from the leadership of his Croatian Citizens' Party (HGS), which is in coalition with the HDZ in the Split City Council. He has not yet commented on the case. The motive behind Polić's favoritism toward Kerum, reportedly without receiving bribes, is yet to be clarified as the investigation continues.
