After USKOK released expert findings confirming the presence of hazardous waste, the Lika-Senj County Prefect insists on urgent remediation and prosecution of those responsible.
Lika-Senj County Prefect Ernest Petry on Thursday, August 7, 2026, strongly demanded urgent remediation and criminal prosecution of all individuals involved in the illegal waste disposal in Gospić. He responded with a video message recorded at the city's silos, a day after the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) made public the concerning results of the expert assessment.
The expert assessment conducted by the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering for the industrial complex site at Bilajska Street 50 confirmed what the Prefect had been warning about for the past year and a half. An estimated 37,000 tons of waste are located at this site, including waste classified as hazardous and ecotoxic. The findings revealed significantly elevated concentrations of harmful substances, including so-called "forever chemicals" (PFAS compounds), which have already contaminated groundwater.
In his statement, Petry placed particular emphasis on the issue of accountability. "Following the latest information released by USKOK, which established that hazardous waste was disposed of in the area of the city of Gospić, I once again, as I have for the past year and a half, insist that the relevant ministry and the Fund initiate as soon as possible the remediation and removal of the hazardous waste improperly disposed of in the city of Gospić," the Prefect stated.
He added that it is necessary to prosecute all participants in this environmental incident. "Likewise, as I have over the past year and a half, I insist that criminal liability be initiated against all responsible individuals, from the lowest to the highest link, who deposited waste here and imported it into the area of the city of Gospić, and that they answer for the crime committed against the citizens of Gospić," Petry declared.
According to the conclusions of the expert assessment, this is a locally significant but progressive impact that has already led to permanent changes in the environment. It was warned that without remediation, the site represents a continuous source of pollution with the potential for further spread and increased intensity of impact on the environment and human health. Pathways for the transfer of pollutants through leaching into the soil and the spread of particles and microplastics were also identified.
Minister of Environment and Green Transition Marija Vučković stated on Friday that her ministry is already taking concrete steps. Two public procurement procedures are currently underway: one for the removal of approximately 4,500 tons of hazardous waste from the so-called "black pile," and another for about 650 tons of waste classified as non-hazardous. However, as she herself emphasized, the biggest challenge remains the approximately 32,000 tons of buried waste.
"As the Lika-Senj County Prefect, I can emphasize that I will always stand by my citizens to protect future generations, but also ourselves who live here," Petry concluded in his video message, once again making it clear that he will not give up pressure on the competent institutions.
