Turudić: Expert Analysis Shows Pollution in Lika
The Chief State Attorney also commented on the Hajduk investigation, the extradition of Vedran Pavlek, and relations with Laura Kövesi, stating that USKOK is intensively working on a major case.
The Chief State Attorney also commented on the Hajduk investigation, the extradition of Vedran Pavlek, and relations with Laura Kövesi, stating that USKOK is intensively working on a major case.
Chief State Attorney Ivan Turudić confirmed on Monday that the expert analysis by the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering in the case of illegal waste disposal in Lika has shown that the area is polluted. He also emphasized that he is ready to publish the contents of that analysis before the conclusion of the court proceedings, stating that there is a public interest in doing so.
In an appearance on RTL Danas, Turudić revealed details of the investigation against the Šincek couple, who are suspected in this case. "The case is now under investigation. The decision to conduct the investigation is final, and the expert analysis at the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering has been completed. The findings span about 300 pages, with an additional 50 pages of supplements. The findings are not great, that much I can say. Lika is polluted in that area," he stated.
Although details of investigations are usually not published before trial, Turudić believes that in this case it is justified for the public to know the extent of the pollution. "According to the Law on the State Attorney's Office, which refers to the Rules of Procedure of the State Attorney's Office, the Chief State Attorney can publish the contents of an expert analysis or such investigative actions if it is in the public interest. I think that in this specific case, it is in the public interest to know the scope and extent of the pollution in Lika," he said.
The documentation of the expert analysis is extensive. According to RTL, it consists of about 350 pages, while a source from Prigorski specifies that the findings consist of 300 pages plus an additional 50 pages of supplements.
Commenting on ongoing investigations, Turudić confirmed that USKOK is conducting inquiries related to Hajduk's operations, emphasizing that this is a standard procedure. "We are doing that. It is quite common. An inquiry actually means a check. We can receive an anonymous or any kind of tip, or we can learn from the media that there are indications of potential irregularities. We go in, examine, and see what's going on. We don't know where it will lead us," he explained.
When asked about his fan relationship with the Split club, he replied that he would act the same way towards any club. Commenting on the riots after the Varaždin-Hajduk match, he pointed out that the problem is not the severity of the penalties, but their slow and inefficient implementation. As an example, he cited a fan clash on the highway near Desinec ten years ago, questioning whether that case was even finally processed.
Turudić also announced the possibility of new major USKOK operations. "Maybe something will happen as early as tomorrow; something is always happening. Currently, we have one major case. Initially, it wasn't particularly promising, as we say, and it also involves national security. We are working on it very intensively. We don't know what tomorrow brings," he said, without revealing further details.
Speaking about the case of Vedran Pavlek, who is opposing extradition to Croatia in Kazakhstan, the Chief State Attorney is optimistic. "I am an optimist and believe he will be extradited to Croatia in due course," he said. He added that investigators are analyzing as many as 120,000 documents from mobile phones and computers related to the case, and the work is not even half done.
He also sharply commented on relations with European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi, whose mandate is coming to an end. "Ms. Kövesi has been leaving scorched earth behind her for the last two or three months. She gives interviews attacking everyone. We haven't seen each other for six months, and I don't know what she's talking about. When we did meet, three times, each time she said our cooperation was fantastic and that there was a wonderful friendship between us. I don't know what's wrong with her," Turudić stated.
He also dismissed accusations that the State Attorney's Office favors any political option, calling them "ridiculous," and supported the Minister of Justice's decision not to increase the number of prosecutors in the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) for now.
