Hrvoje Petrač: The Man with Two Faces and Countless Secrets
Have you ever heard of a man involved in kidnapping, arms trading, sentenced to prison, and now back in the spotlight of one of Croatia’s biggest scandals? Meet Hrvoje Petrač, a controversial businessman and winemaker who has been close to the top of power for decades, whose name is inseparably linked to the darkest corners of Croatian crime and politics.
Career Beginnings and Shady Connections Petrač started his career as a warehouse manager but soon found himself involved in various trades, including arms dealing. Although he never officially admitted to arms trading, his family’s company was registered for selling weapons, and the police considered him the main figure behind the notorious criminal group “dečki s Knežije” for years.
Prison Sentence and Unusual Cellmates In 2003, Petrač was sentenced to six years in prison for kidnapping the son of Vladimir Zagorec. His prison cellmate was none other than Dinko Šakić, the convicted commander of the Ustaša concentration camp Jasenovac. Yes, you read that right – a man with a dark past and controversial ties shared a cell with a war criminal, and Petrač even published Šakić’s obituary.
The Microscope Scandal and Political Earthquakes Last November, Petrač again found himself in the public eye due to the Microscope scandal, where he is suspected of involvement in a criminal organization that bribed Vili Beroš, then Minister of Health, to sell medical equipment to hospitals at inflated prices. Beroš’s arrest caused a political earthquake in Croatia, with the opposition loudly accusing the mafia of infiltrating the highest levels of government.
Family and International Ties Petrač is not alone in these troubles – his sons are also under investigation, and he has spent years abroad, reportedly in Turkey, Greece, and Azerbaijan. His winemaking business, owning ten hectares of vineyards and a winery, is linked to suspicious dealings with Serbian businessman Saša Pozder.
Who is Hrvoje Petrač? Entrepreneur, winemaker, arms dealer, criminal, friend of politicians, or all of the above? His career is full of ups and downs, and his past is shrouded in secrets and controversies. Despite convictions and punishments, Petrač managed to stay close to the center of power, fueling suspicions about his role in Croatian society.
Conclusion Hrvoje Petrač is a living legend of Croatia’s shadow – a man who survived decades in the world of crime, politics, and business while remaining elusive to justice. His story reads like a movie script, but unfortunately, it’s the reality surrounding us.
So, what do you think about Hrvoje Petrač and his connections? Is he just a victim of the system or a key player in the game of power? Drop a comment, maybe together we can shed light on this dark tale!
Summary: Hrvoje Petrač is a controversial Croatian businessman and winemaker with a dark past involving arms trade, kidnapping, and prison time. Recently, he has been implicated in the ‘Microscope’ scandal involving bribery in the healthcare sector. His story is a tangled web of crime, politics, and business, making him one of the most enigmatic figures in Croatia’s recent history.
