Did Turudić confirm that this is terrorism?

He did not confirm it, but he said that terrorism is not ruled out and that the investigation will determine the perpetrators' motives.

How many people were arrested for deliberately setting fires?

Four people were arrested: three Croatian citizens and one Polish national.

How did the suspects set the fires?

They deliberately used a lighter to start fires at ten locations, acting according to a pre-prepared plan and agreement.

Where were the suspects arrested?

They were arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, shortly after 8 PM, in a car with Zadar license plates in the wider Benkovac area.

Croatia

Turudić on Fires: Terrorism Not Ruled Out

A.E. · Prije 3 dana | 2 min

Chief State Attorney Ivan Turudić commented on the arrest of four suspects for deliberately setting fires with a lighter at ten locations, with the investigation set to determine motives.

Summary

Chief State Attorney Ivan Turudić does not rule out the possibility of terrorism in the case of deliberate fires.
Three Croatian citizens and one Polish national were arrested for setting fires with a lighter at ten locations.
The four acted according to a pre-prepared plan and agreement on August 14 and 15, 2026, with the aim of endangering citizens' lives and property.
Turudić described the situation as horrific, especially due to the fires near Omiš where there were human casualties.

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Chief State Attorney Ivan Turudić spoke from Gospić about the case of four suspects accused of deliberately setting fires, not ruling out the possibility of terrorism. He made the statement on Monday, August 17, 2026, following an unsuccessful session on hazardous waste.

When asked directly whether he believes this case constitutes terrorism, Turudić replied: "Terrorism? Well, that's not ruled out either. There's always that possibility. In Article 97, Paragraph 1, Item 7, it's mentioned, referring to arson as an extension of fire for terrorist purposes. Now we will determine if there are motives for this, whether the perpetrators acted with such motives."

Turudić: "It's Horrific"

The Chief State Attorney described the entire fire situation as horrific, particularly highlighting the fires near Omiš where there were human casualties. "It's horrific. These fires, especially near Omiš, where there were human casualties, where there is still a threat to human lives, are terrible. The police are on the ground, the counter-terrorism unit is on the ground, we'll see where this leads us, what results we'll achieve. Is there suspicion of a criminal offense? We'll see. For now, it's too early to say," Turudić said.

Set Fires with a Lighter at Ten Locations

On Saturday, August 15, 2026, shortly after 8 PM, the police arrested three Croatian citizens and one Polish national. After citizens reported someone setting fires along the road in the wider Benkovac area, police found a car with Zadar license plates containing individuals suspected of deliberately igniting fires with a lighter at ten locations.

Analysis revealed that the four individuals acted according to a pre-prepared plan and mutual agreement. According to the police report, on Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15, 2026, they deliberately used a lighter to start fires to endanger the lives and property of many citizens. The suspects were questioned on Monday, August 17, 2026.