HDZ Member Josip Škorić: Corruption, Prison, and a €3600 Salary While Harming a State Company!
Is it possible for someone caught in corruption and imprisoned to still receive a net salary of €3600 and use a company car? In Croatia, apparently yes! Josip Škorić, an influential HDZ member and former director of Croatian Roads, has been arrested for the second time on corruption charges involving rigging contracts worth tens of millions of kuna. Yet, instead of being fired, he continues to work as an advisor to the management of Croatian Roads, receives a salary, and uses a company car — all while being held in the Remetinec investigative prison.
A State Company Paying for Corruption?
Škorić was first arrested last year for rigging contracts worth about €10 million. Despite being under investigation, he was not fired. On the contrary, Croatian Roads allowed him to use his annual leave while in prison, and now he has been arrested again on similar charges — bribery, rigging contracts, paying for expensive dinners and plane tickets for friends and family.
How is the Legal System Not Reacting?
Lawyers explain that there are no legal obstacles for state companies to keep contracts with suspects while the court process is ongoing. The government does not order dismissals, so Škorić remains in a high position with a salary of about €3600 net, while harming the company he is supposed to lead.
Škorić’s Influence and Network
Besides rigging the procurement of a special machine through friends, Škorić is involved in rigging contracts to companies connected to his family and friends. His brother runs a company that received contracts, and friends got lucrative deals. All this while ordinary citizens watch corruption flourish and justice move slowly.
What Do Croatian Roads Say?
Croatian Roads claim everything is in accordance with the law and that Škorić used his right to annual leave. However, the public wonders — is this an example of justice or shame? How can someone be paid and have privileges while in prison for corruption?
Conclusion
This story is yet another proof that corruption in Croatia is not just a problem but a systemic phenomenon. While ordinary people struggle to find jobs and fight for basic rights, powerful figures like Škorić enjoy privileges and harm state companies. Will justice ever come, or will we keep watching thieves roam state institutions?
If you have your own opinion or have seen similar cases, drop a comment — maybe together we can expose another dark side of the system! Or just say, who still believes in justice?
This is not just a story about one man, but about a system that allows such things to happen.
