FrontPages.EU

FrontPages.EU

Archives
Log in
Subscribe
October 8, 2026

Croatia: Footballer's father caught in corruption raids — FrontPages.eu, October 08, 2026

FRONTPAGES.EU

What's happening in Europe?

Croatia flag

Croatia

Thursday, October 08, 2026

🚓 Raided

Corruption investigators spent the morning searching the town of Čepin, focusing on a half-million-euro land swap and the five people suspected of profiting from it. The list of those under scrutiny includes a man previously arrested for similar dealings, a former national football player, and the father of another current footballer. The Čepinska group has long been a fixture of the local police blotter; they are now a fixture of a land-valuation probe. The judiciary had a busy day elsewhere: a former mayor remains in custody after a judge rejected her request for release on 'business grounds,' and an SDP official faces new allegations of using EU funds to pay for sports travel. In Dalmatia, residents were told to keep their windows shut as an underground fire sent smoke into their homes. It is a season of discomfort, both for those breathing the air and those facing the courts. The Minister of Culture is currently in a public dispute with writer Miljenko Jergović, who accused her of ideological manipulation after his funding was questioned. Arguments over the intersection of state money and art are a national tradition, though they are usually conducted with less directness than this exchange.

Top Stories

The Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK has launched a large-scale operation targeting the 'Čepinska skupina' criminal group, conducting searches in Čepin. The investigation centers on a suspicious land deal involving a half-million euro difference, with five individuals targeted, including the father of a Croatian footballer and a former national team player. One individual reportedly arrested multiple times before is Dragan Baković Bambur.

Index.hr: USKOK in New Operation, Targeting 'Čepinska Skupina'

The Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK has launched a new operation targeting the 'Čepinska skupina,' with searches conducted in Čepin, including the father of a Croatian footballer.

tportal: Investigation into land deal by USKOK?

USKOK is investigating a land deal involving a half-million euro difference. This action is centered around the exchange of land.

Jutarnji list: USKOK Operation Details: Five Individuals Targeted, Key Player Revealed

USKOK has launched a new operation targeting five individuals, with an investigation underway to determine who profited from a suspicious swap deal that cost half a million.

Večernji list: USKOK Launches Major Action in Slavonia Targeting Criminal Group

Investigators have launched searches in Slavonia, reportedly targeting a well-known criminal group, with investigations including Dragan Baković Bambur, who has been arrested multiple times before.

Telegram.hr: Police raid targets notorious criminal group, former footballer investigated

Croatia's anti-corruption agency, USKOK, has launched a major operation targeting the notorious Čepinska criminal group, with investigations reportedly including land swaps and implicating a former national football team player.

Index.hr: Who is USKOK searching in Čepin? Among them, the father of a Croatian footballer

Searches are underway in Čepin as part of a USKOK operation, with reports indicating the father of a Croatian footballer is among those being investigated.

Jutarnji list: Morning USKOK Action: Raids on Former National Team Player, Notorious Group…

USKOK conducted morning raids, including at the home of a former Croatian national football team player, targeting members of a notorious group.

Gabrijela Žalac, former Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, has been denied release from custody due to 'business reasons.' She has previously been sentenced to prison for corruption related to misusing EU funds and abuse of office.

Telegram.hr: Former mayor's request for release denied due to 'business reasons'

Gabrijeli Žalac, the former mayor, has been denied release from custody due to 'business reasons', with further details on the case expected.

A new discovery has revealed allegations that an SDP official misused EU funds to cover team travel expenses.

Index.hr: New Discovery Regarding SDP Official Spending EU Funds on Team Travel

A new discovery reveals an SDP official allegedly misused EU funds for team travel expenses.

National team coach Slaven Bilić has mentioned two young players as potential debutants for Croatia's upcoming match at Wembley, as the team seeks to fill a deficit position.

Index.hr: Two Young Players Could Debut for Croatia at Wembley; Bilić Mentioned Them

Croatia is seeking players for a deficit position, with coach Bilić mentioning two young players who could potentially debut at Wembley.

French President Emmanuel Macron was seen taking a casual stroll through Split and was filmed in front of a popular local restaurant, with observers noting his appreciation for good food.

tportal: Macron strolls through Split, spotted at a popular konoba

French President Macron was seen walking through Split and was filmed in front of a well-known local restaurant, with locals noting his appreciation for good food.

An underground fire in Dalmatia is causing smoke to enter homes, prompting authorities to issue a warning for residents to close their windows.

Jutarnji list: Underground Fire in Dalmatia: Smoke Enters Homes, Warning Issued

An underground fire in Dalmatia is causing smoke to enter homes, prompting authorities to issue a warning for residents to close their windows.

Writer Miljenko Jergović has responded to the Minister of Culture, accusing her of manipulation and ideological disqualification amidst a controversy over his funding.

Telegram.hr: Writer responds to Culture Minister's 'ideological disqualification'

Writer Miljenko Jergović has responded to the Minister of Culture, accusing her of manipulation and ideological disqualification amidst a controversy over his funding.

View Croatia on frontpages.eu

Daily news summaries from Croatia

Part of the frontpages.eu European news digest

Follow us on Instagram · Facebook

frontpages.eu  ·  View Croatia  ·  Unsubscribe

Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to FrontPages.EU:
← Newer Estonia: Slavery suspects found with 200kg of gold — FrontPages.eu, October 08, 2026 Older → Denmark: A seventh of the population locks credit — FrontPages.eu, October 08, 2026
frontpages.eu
Powered by Buttondown, the easiest way to start and grow your newsletter.