After nearly five months of investigation, Zagreb police have filed a special report with the prosecutor's office against a 71-year-old man suspected of coercion against a person performing duties of public interest.
A routine ticket inspection on a train in the Zagreb area turned into a physical altercation after a 71-year-old passenger refused to show his ticket to a 56-year-old conductor. Zagreb police have completed their criminal investigation and filed a special report as a supplement to the criminal complaint with the Municipal Criminal State Attorney's Office in Zagreb.
The incident occurred on March 27, 2026, at approximately 2:10 PM. According to the Zagreb Police Department, the conductor approached the 71-year-old during a regular check and asked to see his ticket. He refused, and when the employee attempted to scan it with her official mobile device, the suspect allegedly used physical force to hit and push her away.
In addition to the physical assault, police suspect the man also verbally abused the conductor. The Zagreb Police Department stated that "by using force, he prevented a person performing duties of public interest from carrying out her official duty."
The suspect is charged with the criminal offense of coercion against a person performing duties of public interest or in public service. The investigation lasted nearly five months, with results released by police on August 13, 2026.
The special report has been submitted to the Zagreb prosecutor's office, which will decide on further steps in the proceedings. Police have not released additional details about the train line, station, or any potential witnesses.
As the case is now under the jurisdiction of the state attorney's office, the 71-year-old is presumed innocent until any guilt is established by a final court decision. The case has once again highlighted the risks faced by public transport workers in their daily duties.
