Prime Minister Andrej Plenković sacked his Health Minister Vili Beros on Friday, soon after confirming reports that Beros was detained by anti-corruption investigators during a police search of his home.
A spokesman for PM Andrej Plenković’s government said in a statement:
“The Prime Minister dismissed Vili Beros from his ministerial post.”Â
The European Prosecutor’s Office in Zagreb said in a separate statement that it had opened an investigation into eight people, including the Health Minister and directors of two hospitals in Zagreb, and two companies on suspicion of taking and giving bribes, abuse of position and power and money laundering.
At a press conference in Zagreb shortly after the dismissal was announced, Plenković confirmed Beros’s detention.
“This morning, former minister Vili Beros and two others were arrested as part of an operation conducted by anti-corruption officials,” Plenković told reporters. He also added:
“As Prime Minister, I am personally appalled by the idea that anyone in the healthcare system would use their position either for personal enrichment or to favor someone else within the healthcare system.”
The government and the public prosecutor’s office are expected to hold a press conference later in the day.
