In a significant crackdown on corruption, Vinko Grgić, the mayor of Nova Gradiška, was arrested this morning during an operation conducted by the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) along with the national police. Reports indicate that he was taken into custody under allegations related to corruption, which come at a time when corruption in local governments is facing increased scrutiny. Alongside Grgić, multiple individuals have reportedly been detained as part of the same probe.

The police operation saw law enforcement entering the city hall of Nova Gradiška and several other locations, including the Tourist Board's offices and residences of city administration employees. Eyewitnesses reported the presence of police vehicles outside these locations, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the investigation into potential bribery activities involving the mayor. This incident underscores a broader initiative in Croatia to address corruption at various levels of governance, which has been a pressing issue in the country.

Last year, Grgić had already faced legal troubles when he and other associates were implicated in a case that involved the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), allegedly linked to the Janaf affair. The ongoing investigations are likely to have significant political implications in the region, especially regarding public trust in local governance and the accountability of elected officials.