Kosta Kostanjević, former director of the City Institution for Managing Sports Facilities (USO), suspected in the Hipodrom affair, has been released from the Remetinec detention center. The court decided there was no basis for further detention as Kostanjević could not influence witnesses or repeat the offense. Kostanjević resigned from his position, and all witnesses have been questioned. He and Slavko Galić with his son Domagoj are suspected of embezzling around 1.8 million euros from USO through false invoices for Hipodrom protection services. The Galićs have admitted guilt and were released, while Kostanjević denies the charges. Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević expects further investigation but does not believe Kostanjević took the money. Kostanjević had been leading USO since the new government took office in Zagreb.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the importance of thorough investigation and transparency in public institutions. They highlight the resignation of Kostanjević as a positive step towards accountability and stress the need to combat corruption in city management. They tend to trust the judicial process and focus on systemic issues rather than individual guilt until proven.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the case straightforwardly, focusing on the legal procedures such as the release from detention, the resignation, and the ongoing investigation. They present statements from all sides, including Kostanjević’s denial and the mayor’s comments, maintaining a neutral tone without speculation.
Right: Right-leaning media may emphasize the alleged corruption and the financial damage caused by the scandal, possibly questioning the leniency of the court’s decision to release Kostanjević. They might focus on the need for stricter measures against corruption and criticize the political leadership for allowing such scandals to occur.
