Croatian police on Monday arrested the head of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Vinko Mladineo, on suspicion of involvement in the Fimi Media corruption case. According to unofficial sources, Mladineo's flat has been searched and a search of his business office is under way.
The recently expanded investigation into the Fimi Media marketing company has revealed that the amount of money of which public companies and ministries were defrauded in one of the biggest corruption scandals in Croatia exceeds HRK 80 million.
Thirteen people are suspected of siphoning the money, according to sources close to the investigation, but Mladen Barisic, a former customs chief and treasurer of the ruling HDZ party, remains the prime suspect for siphoning as much as HRK 40 million via Fimi Media, which is owned by Nevenka Jurak.
Barisic is one of six suspects still in custody. Jurak has been in custody since August, while Josip Sapunar, Zlatko Korpar, Mario Crnjak and Jurica Prskalo were placed in custody last week on the suspicion that they defrauded the HAC highway operator of HRK 26 million.
