Plenković dismisses Beroš: Corruption is unacceptable, especially in healthcare

(Patria) - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said at a press conference that former minister Vili Beroš was arrested this morning and dismissed after the operation, along with two other people, as part of an action conducted by USKOK. He was informed about everything by the Chief State Attorney.

"I am not familiar with all the details of this case, except for what we are reading in the media. It concerns corrupt criminal acts. On behalf of the entire government, I want to give unreserved support to the criminal prosecution bodies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute this case," he said.

Immediately after receiving the news, he dismissed Beroš from his position and temporarily appointed State Secretary Hrstić to his post.

- As Prime Minister, I am personally appalled by the idea that anyone in the healthcare system would use their position for personal enrichment or to favor anyone else. It appears to be illegal conduct by the minister and some other healthcare workers. Healthcare is a particularly sensitive sector. Minister Beroš received the trust of me and the citizens to take care of the healthcare system and manage resources lawfully to provide the best services to all patients. Certainly, neither he nor anyone else received a mandate to abuse the system and commit criminal acts," said Plenković.

- For any such action by the judiciary, no matter how uncomfortable for the government, I want to say that they have our full support to clear up such cases of a corrupt nature. As a government, we have never and will never protect anyone from criminal prosecution if there is suspicion that someone has committed criminal acts, regardless of who it is and what position they held, he said.

If the accusations against Beroš are proven true, Plenković said he views it as an act of betrayal of the personal trust he had in him since he honored him by appointing him as a minister in the government.

Plenković said that the party's top leadership met this morning, followed by the parliamentary majority.

- We provided the information available to us at this moment and received support to clear up this case, but also that we enjoy support as a government to continue working, said the Prime Minister.

- I want this case to be used for additional engagement and the fight against corruption in all segments of the state, especially in the healthcare sector, which we are all, rightly, sensitive about, he stated.

- If the criminal prosecution bodies assessed that the evidence, indications, and testimonies are of such a nature that they decided to arrest a minister, then the situation is certainly serious and it seems to me that it presupposes reasonable suspicion of committing some criminal acts, said Plenković.

He emphasized that he dismissed Beroš as soon as he realized what criminal acts he was suspected of.

- As for any message to the DORH, they have support, he replied.

- I think this should not have happened regarding someone who was given the trust to manage a government department, after so many challenges we have had with healthcare. This situation is related to the procurement of medical equipment from which, if I understood correctly, someone profited. People are not chosen for the government to profit from it, the Prime Minister emphasized.

Asked how strong a political blow this is for him, Plenković said he is angry and disappointed.

- Unfortunately, as a government, we have no contact with those decisions, since it is at the level of each department. No one has a mandate to act illegally. That is why we are appalled, disappointed, angry, and view it as a betrayal of all of us, said the Prime Minister, again repeating that the criminal prosecution bodies have his full support.

Asked whether it is true that the director of the hospital in Split, Julije Meštrović, who refused to participate in this corrupt scheme, was dismissed because of it, the Prime Minister only said he knows nothing about it.

- I would not say this is political responsibility; this is management responsibility. Let everything be cleared up, he said.

He revealed that his last contact with Minister Beroš was yesterday when he told him that the matter with the striking unions had been resolved.