The news in Croatian

Ministar zdravstva Hrvatske, Vili Beroš, uhićen je zbog sumnje u korupciju . Optužen je za manipulaciju nabave medicinske opreme. Premijer Plenković ga je odmah smijenio, a Irena Hrstić je privremena ministrica. U tijeku su istrage korupcije u zdravstvu, a Beroš poriče optužbe. Vlada želi boriti se protiv korupcije.

Translation

Croatia's Minister of Health, Vili Beroš, has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. He is accused of manipulating the procurement of medical equipment. Prime Minister Plenković immediately dismissed him, and Irena Hrstić is acting as the interim minister. Investigations into corruption within the health sector are ongoing, and Beroš denies the charges. The government is keen to tackle corruption.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Why was Minister Vili Beroš arrested?

He was arrested due to suspicions of corruption involving manipulation in the procurement of medical equipment.

Question 2: Who is the temporary minister of health after Vili Beroš was removed?

Irena Hrstić is the temporary minister of health after Vili Beroš was removed.

Exercise: Vocabulary

- arrest

(f.) - corruption

- accuse

(f.) - manipulation

(f.) - procurement

(f.) - investigation

Read the full story

▌16/11/2024

The Croatian Minister of Health, Vili Beroš, was arrested on Friday following allegations of corruption involving high-ranking members of the healthcare sector. This development has sent shockwaves through the Croatian government, leading to his immediate dismissal by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

The investigation, spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), has implicated Beroš and several others in a suspected scheme to manipulate procurement processes for medical equipment, including costly robotic surgical devices. These devices were allegedly purchased at inflated prices, resulting in significant financial gains for those involved. Besides Beroš, notable figures such as neuro-surgeon Krešimir Rotim and businessman Saša Pozder have also been implicated.

The arrest has highlighted serious concerns about potential corruption within the Croatian healthcare system, with claims that public funds were misused for personal enrichment. The Uskočko (anti-corruption bureau) is conducting concurrent investigations and made several arrests related to these charges.

Minister Beroš Arrested in Corruption Probe Minister Beroš Arrested in Corruption Probe (Illustration)

Minister Beroš is accused of playing a central role in the alleged criminal organization, with reports suggesting he received bribes to facilitate these deals. His defense attorney, Laura Valković, has stated that Beroš denies all charges.

Prime Minister Plenković reacted swiftly to the scandal by removing Beroš from his cabinet, appointing Irena Hrstić as the interim head of the Ministry of Health. Plenković expressed his dismay over the situation, emphasizing the government's commitment to fighting corruption.

The arrest has prompted a widespread call for transparency and reforms within Croatia’s public administration, especially in sectors linked to public trust, such as healthcare. The Croatian Medical Chamber and the Croatian Hospital Doctors' Association (HUBOL) have both voiced zero tolerance for corruption, urging for immediate resignations of any officials found guilty of compromising the integrity of the healthcare system.

As investigations continue, the focus will remain on how this high-profile case unfolds and what this might mean for the integrity and functionality of Croatian public institutions.

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