Ante Todorić’s lawyer, Fran Olujić, stated in front of the Kulmer’s palace where the police have been searching the Todorić family’s home since early morning, that the searches of the home and other premises could last all day.
He emphasized that his client informed the police back in September that he would not be staying in Croatia for some time due to personal and business reasons and that he deregistered his residence at the Ministry of the Interior on September 5. “Considering that he is following all these events, media, and portals, he will come to Croatia as soon as possible,” the lawyer stated.
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When asked why Ante Todorić changed his residence, Olujić said he did so because he got a job outside Croatia. He also explained that the duration of the investigations and evidence-gathering, which are ongoing, depends on the speed of his return. He stated that it would be unprofessional for him to say when Ivica Todorić would return to Croatia, clarifying that he defends Ante Todorić and that Ivica Todorić is not his client.
A warrant only if the wanted are not available to law enforcement
Olujić explained that the police and the State Attorney’s Office must first establish that the Todorićs are not in Croatia and that a potential warrant can only be issued if the wanted person is unavailable to law enforcement.
In response to a journalist’s inquiry regarding the status of Iva Todorić’s husband, Hrvoje Balent, Olujić stated that Balent is one of the suspects while Iva Balent is not involved in the proceedings in any way. He clarified that currently in the Kulmer’s palace are Ivica Todorić’s wife and Hrvoje Balent, along with other family members who are not significant to this case.
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According to available data, the investigation includes Ivica Todorić and his sons Ante and Ivan, as well as Alojzije Pandžić, Damir Kuštrak, Hrvoje Balent, Ivica Crnjac, Olivio Discordia, Marijan Alagušić, Sanja Hrstić, Mislav Galić, Tomislav Lučić, Piruška Canjuga, Ljerka Puljić, and Ivica Sertić. All were members of the management or supervisory board of the troubled Agrokor group, while Discordia and Hrstić are employees of the auditing firm Baker Tilly, which prepared audit reports for Agrokor.
So far, eight arrested
Since Monday morning, when investigators began searching the homes and business premises of the suspects, Ivan Crnjac, Piruška Canjuga, Ljerka Puljić, Tomislav Lučić, Damir Kuštrak, Mislav Galić, Marijan Alagušić, and Alojzije Pandžić have been arrested.
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After several hours of searches, the first arrested individuals are expecting an interview at the State Attorney’s Office, but their lawyers have not yet received calls for questioning. Sources close to the investigators indicate that Todorić, who is allegedly in London with his sons, is being charged by the State Attorney’s Office for obtaining unlawful property benefits, specifically that he presented Agrokor’s business and financial position in its fundamental financial reports as more successful than the actual results.
Former company leaders allegedly enabled him to present positive business results.
Only after questioning at the State Attorney’s Office will investigators decide whether to initiate an investigation against the suspects, and if they decide to request investigative detention for them, this will subsequently be decided by the investigating judge of the Zagreb County Court.
