Welcome to the latest episode of the Croatian soap opera called ‘Sport and Music Scandal’! This isn’t your average corruption story — it’s a full-blown circus where powerful people in government fix exams, hire their relatives, and then get punishments that feel more like warnings than real justice.
Meet Anita Validžić, former advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture, who just struck a deal with prosecutors and dodged jail time. Her sentence? Nine months in prison, but with a two-year probation — meaning she won’t set foot behind bars if she behaves. How did this happen? She admitted to asking former state secretary Josipa Pleslić, ex-mayor of Knin, to fix a state professional exam for someone close to her. Yes, you read that right — the exam wasn’t taken, it was fixed!
But wait, there’s more. Josipa Pleslić, the main star of this drama, faces serious charges: influence peddling, abuse of power, bribery giving and receiving. Though 27 people, including her, have been indicted, many have already made deals with prosecutors and received lighter sentences. Among them is Gabrijela Žalac, former Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, sentenced to one year in prison with a three-year probation for fixing an exam for her brother.
Another gem in this story is nepotism. Pleslić allegedly hired the sister of former HEP director Nikola Šulentić at Elektro Šibenik, a HEP branch. Šulentić got a suspended nine-month sentence with a one-year probation and a €10,000 fine.
This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg in the sea of corruption shaking Croatia. A total of 27 indictments have been filed, with cases split up. While justice seems to be inching forward, the punishments are often so mild they spark public outrage and doubts about the judicial system’s effectiveness.
Imagine this — people who abused their power and influence, manipulated exams, and hired relatives now walk free with suspended sentences as if they got a warning for speeding. Is this justice or a farce? You decide.
If you think this is just another corruption story with no real consequences, you’re not alone. But hey, let’s not just sit back and watch. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or crack a sarcastic joke — because if we can’t laugh, what’s left?
Welcome to Croatia 2024 — the land where justice is served by the spoonful, and the powerful keep playing their game.
