On June 13, 2025, Gabrijela Žalac, former Croatian Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in a corruption case involving a €1.73 million procurement contract unlawfully awarded to preferred vendors. Prosecutors stated that the inflated contract, which bypassed proper tender procedures, resulted in at least €1 million in losses to the EU. Žalac repaid €200,000 in damages as part of the plea agreement.
On July 9, 2025, she was indicted again by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for using official funds, mostly from the EU, to pay for private restaurant visits, amounting to €9,732.
Read more at FCC Times https://www.fcctimes.com/2025/07/09/former-croatian-minister-gabrijela-zalac-indicted-again-in-eu-funds-embezzlement-case/?utm_source=RZOLUTWebsite&utm_medium=FCCPoI12Aug25
